Announcing their research ahead of National Skills Week, August 22-28, industry consultancy Arcadis says there will be almost a 50 per cent greater need than the number of people who are expected to be qualified to fulfil the roles in 2023.
GRH Building in Bankstown says it’s difficult lining up people to work.
“It’s very tough at the moment,” a spokesperson said.
‘Everything is lagging behind because of Covid, the run of bad weather and the delay in materials we had last year.
“A lot of young people are tech-savvy and would prefer to sleep in until lunchtime and then do something from home; they don’t want to get up before the sun and work an eight-hour day.
“A lot of other people are fed up with all the industry delays and have found work elsewhere.”
Panda Excavation Group says it’s a struggle to find good operators.
“Everyone’s got work but there’s not enough workers,” a spokesperson said.
Medusa Construction Maintenance Company says the industry is battling.
“The cost of material has gone through the roof and customers don’t want to pay the same prices,” a spokesperson said.
“It’s not easy to find staff either.”
National Skills Week’s Chairman Brian Wexham says the shortage of skilled construction workers is slowing delivery and increasing the cost of home builds, infrastructure projects and everything in-between.
“It’s critical school leavers, parents and jobseekers are informed of what the jobs of the future are, and what Australia’s most critical skills shortages and jobs needs are,” he said.
For further info, visit nationalskillsweek.com.au.
Building, trades desperate for workers
CONSTRUCTION job vacancies have increased by a massive 80 per cent since late 2019 and the forecast is they will only get worse – a fact that hardly surprises local construction firms.