High-Level Stakeholder Engagement Workshop Addressing Construction Workforce
On November 29, 2022, the School of Architecture and Built Environment's (SABE) Construction Management team organized a one-day High-Level Stakeholders Engagement Workshop with the goal of fostering a cooperative agenda to address the severe construction workforce shortages affecting Regional NSW.
The keynote speakers for the session were Mr. David Chandler OAM, the NSW Building Commissioner, and Mr. David Witherdin, the Deputy Secretary for Commercial and Chief Executive of the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation.
Several stakeholder groups, including the NSW and Regional NSW government agencies, Tier 1 and Tier 2 construction firms, housing industry associations, Master Builders' Associations, and tertiary and vocational training institutions like Western Sydney University, TAFE NSW, and Training Services NSW were represented by more than 70 attendees at the workshop. The audience was quite active during the keynote address, guest presentations, panel discussion, and yarning circle conversations that made up the workshop. The keynote speakers emphasized how the constant natural disasters that strike regional NSW force the development of new construction techniques. Three guest speakers, including the Housing Industry Association and representatives from Multiplex and Buildonix, gave guest speeches on the subject based on their knowledge of construction techniques in the Hunter region.
TAFE NSW, Training Services NSW, Western Sydney University, North Construction, and the UK-based construction design firm Bryden Woods participated in a panel discussion at the workshop to discuss ways to alleviate the shortage of construction skills in regional NSW. In order to provide participants a chance to debate this current problem with the public, the workshop also included interactive group discussions. Although there are many causes for the lack of construction skills, the workshop's solutions included delivering targeted programs to women and migrants, introducing micro-credentials to speed up the learning process, introducing collaborative learning opportunities from both TAFE and universities, and making use of contemporary construction techniques like prefabrication technologies.
Construction management students of SABE were also invited to attend the event as it allowed them to interact with construction stakeholders, while getting to know the current context of the industry. The students who participated met with recruiters and industry practitioners to expand their network and discuss potential job opportunities. In addition, the student participation was counted as two-days equivalent industry experience towards their work integrated learning (WIL) requirement of the Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) (Honors) program. The results and impact of organizing the workshop was rewarding as the research team was able to develop new collaborations with many industry stakeholders to conduct research led teaching.
The team, which is led by A/Prof. Temitope Egbelakin, Buddhini Ginigaddara, Dr. Marcus Jefferies, and Dr. Tanvi Newaz, intends to create both conventional and unconventional research outputs as the next phase of their joint engagements. The team is also hopeful that by serving as the point of contact for both TAFE and construction firms in the area, the University of Newcastle will become a regional focus for the development of construction skills. The SABE professional staff, college and university communications, and most particularly Professor SueAnne Ware, SABE Head of School, are all acknowledged for their tremendous support, without which this event would not have been a success.
Contact
- Nikhil Achuthankutty
- Email: nikhil.achuthankutty@newcastle.edu.au
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