Addressing Construction Workforce and Skill Gaps in Regional NSW
The University of Newcastle in collaboration with TAFE NSW are facilitating the collaboration and engagement between construction companies including contractors and subcontractors, trades organisations, training and education providers and other relevant agencies and stakeholders in the sector.
The Australian construction sector is one of the fastest growing industries in Australia.
However, it faces massive labour shortages resulting in major skills gaps. While this boom is great for the future of construction, the shortage of skilled workers, coupled with inflation, building material shortages and supply chain disruptions, creates extensive time delays for all projects. Regional Australia currently faces higher challenges to attract and retain skilled workers, and subsequently navigates the economic and social impacts of the skills shortages.
The project aims to quantify current construction skills and labour shortages, evaluate what may be future gaps, and then speculate on why these problems arise, as well as identify and implement workable solutions and strategies for our communities.
As a part of this project, an initial workshop was held at the University of Newcastle with more than 70 attendees representing construction stakeholders from tertiary and vocational education institutions, government organisations, construction companies and the like. Further details about the workshop outcomes and future directions can be found here.
Project Partners
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.