How many additional workers does the country need?
The building and construction industry will need an additional 130,000 workers this year to address workforce shortages, according to industry association Master Builders Australia.
Its newly released Future of the Workforce report highlights that this shortfall is in addition to the workers needed to cover natural attrition and calls on federal and state governments to prioritise reforms aimed at attracting and retaining more workers.
“While it is a significant number, this presents an opportunity for growth in an industry that is pivotal to the nation’s economic success,” said Denita Wawn (pictured above), chief executive of Master Builders Australia. “This is the very workforce needed to deliver the homes and supporting infrastructure we desperately need.”
As one of the country’s largest employers, the building and construction industry accounts for one in every 11 Australian jobs. However, the number of new workers entering the sector each year is insufficient to meet demand.
The Master Builders Australia report also revealed that productivity in the industry has fallen by 18% over the past decade, further straining both workers and employers. Despite these challenges, Wawn noted that the sector is positioned for growth, with a strong pipeline of projects in housing, commercial, and civil construction.
“There’s no quick fix to the critical workforce shortages,” she stated. “It will require a holistic approach across federal government portfolios, from migration, skills and training, to industrial relations.”
Earlier this year, the industry association also called on governments to take action to boost construction activity, expressing concern over data showing a continued decline in new building approvals – a trend that could prevent the country from meeting the housing target.
Master Builders Australia’s proposed solutions to the workforce shortage problem include increasing trade apprenticeships, leveraging skilled migration, and fostering a more diverse and inclusive industry culture to attract new talent.
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