The Building Industry's Need for 500,000 Workers
Departures from the industry: The current workforce is aging, and many workers are nearing retirement.
The construction industry is facing a surge in demand across infrastructure, commercial buildings, and residential projects.
The transition to renewable energy requires additional infrastructure, creating new job opportunities.
Encouraging Australians to join the industry: This involves attracting more apprentices, ensuring they complete their training, and promoting the industry to women.
Addressing the housing shortage by maximizing the use of vacant properties instead of solely focusing on new construction.
While prioritizing Australians, Wawn recognizes the need for skilled migrants, especially considering the current workforce's reliance on them. She advocates for a streamlined visa process similar to those offered by competitor nations like Canada and the UK.
The interview highlights the critical need for a comprehensive strategy to address the construction industry's workforce shortage. This will require collaboration between government, industry, and educational institutions to ensure a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers for the future.