Australia’s construction industry has hit a significant roadblock in its efforts to tackle the ongoing housing shortage.
Experts say a major overhaul of the nation’s apprenticeship programs is essential to attract more young people into trades if Australia has any chance of solving the housing crisis.
In July, the government launched the Housing Accord, an ambitious plan aimed at delivering 1.2 million new homes by the end of the decade. Meeting this target would require construction speeds only seen twice before in the country’s history.
But as if the challenge wasn’t already daunting enough, the nation will also need to find ther skilled tradies to build them — 83,000, to be exact.
Earlier this month, Build-it highlighted a new report by the Housing Industry Association, which revealed that Australia must urgently recruit these 83,000 skilled workers to have any realistic chance of hitting the ambitious housing goals.
Skilled apprentices will need to become a key part of filling these roles as the industry seeks to find the next generation of chippies, sparkies, and brickies to help tackle the housing shortage head-on.
The trades in high-demand
HIA’s recent report, All Hands on Deck, highlights the trades that need the most support, with strong demand for carpenters (22,000 needed), electricians (17,300), plumbers (11,900), painters (8,000), and bricklayers (4,500) among many more sectors.
Without boosting apprentice numbers, these critical jobs will only become harder to fill, setting up the construction sector for further delays, rising costs, and, ultimately, the housing industry’s failure to build the 1.2 million homes desperately needed by 2030.
However, before the sector can find the number of apprentices needed, a rebuild of the narrative surrounding vocational education and apprenticeships must take place.
Education experts say apprenticeships have struggled to attract new recruits due to the outdated perception of trades as less desirable career paths — when, in reality, they are some of the most stable, high-paying careers available.
Lucy O’Reilly, General Manager at not-for-profit apprentice training organisation WPC Group, told Build-it it’s time to update this misconception to attract school-leavers and career changers alike.
“Increasing the number of apprenticeships across Australia has long been a recurring issue,” she said.
“Apprenticeships need to be repositioned in the public eye as a visible career path with endless opportunity for career progression and skill development.”
“No longer should we be painting the narrative that trades are a dead-end job.”
“School-leavers and even those later in life need to be exposed to the many different sectors that can be covered with an apprenticeship and the various opportunities to excel within these sectors.”
Hidden benefits to choosing a trade
But there are more benefits to studying a trade than just a well-paying job or employment stability.
The combination of practical experience with mentorship allows those who choose an apprentice pathway to develop a deep understanding of industry-specific challenges and experience that is transferable to other in-demand roles and employment opportunities — if desired.
Meanwhile, the apprentice training’s hands-on approach enhances employability and cultivates a culture of innovation and adaptability among new workers, regardless of the trade.
WPC Group General Manager Andrew Sezonov explained to Build-it how apprentice pathways could help give young people a jump start on their journey toward a successful future and a job they enjoy.
“These pathways help bridge the gap between education and practical experience, providing on-site experience for trainees and apprentices to give them that extra step ahead in their career,” he said.
“Having strong pathways ensures that the next generation of the workforce is provided with a range of industry options and can pursue a career they are truly passionate about.”
Extra support is needed
As promising as apprenticeships are, financial barriers and logistical challenges remain significant roadblocks.
Experts say there is a need for more robust government support to make apprenticeships more accessible to both trainees and the construction firms that hire them.
“Currently, in Australia, there is minimal support for apprentices and the businesses employing them,” Ms O’Reilly told Build-it.
“Increasing the financial funding available to both of these groups would drastically increase the uptake.”
“Providing resources for mentorship and guidance can help apprentices navigate their training and build confidence in their skills.”
By increasing financial and practical support, apprentices and businesses will become more motivated to complete the required training, resulting in higher qualification completion rates and more tradies on-site.
Another essential strategy for growing apprenticeship numbers is fostering stronger connections between schools and the construction industry.
Building partnerships with educational institutions could help students see trade opportunities from an early age before they enter entirely different career paths.
These collaborations might include school-led workshops, industry days, and apprenticeship information sessions, which would help students understand that a trade career is not only viable but also potentially rewarding.
“The government needs to do more to encourage school leavers to try out apprenticeships and promote the various industries as viable career options,” Ms O’Reilly said.
“Creating partnerships between educational institutions and businesses can also strengthen the pathway from school to apprenticeship, ensuring a smoother transition into the workforce.”
