The Government is putting forward its plan to improve the construction industry, and it's hoped it will boost apprentice numbers.

However, it's only expecting to attract 4,000 more recruits, and this for an industry which is short 30,000 workers.

Is it time to do things differently? 

A prefab construction company being used by Housing New Zealand says it can half the time of regular construction with fewer people involved.

XLam says its a part of the solution for our housing crisis and construction sector skill shortage.

CEO Gary Caulfield says after being made in their Nelson factory, the structure of a three-storey apartment building can be put together in just four days by only four people.

"These are traditionally a 14 to 16 month build that we are now doing between 6 and 8 months. The 10 to 12 month saving means we can now do what would take as one apartment, we are now doing three apartments."

The prefab timber houses include eight, one bedroom apartments.

Caulfield says they are assembled on site like a Lego set.

"We're releasing the potential that we have. I'm not going to suggest that its a solution or silver bullet for the construction industry, but it goes a long way to help part of the issues that we face."

LISTEN TO GARY CAULFIELD TALK WITH LARRY WILLIAMS ABOVE