Published 20 Jun 2023
S3. Ep9. Talking with Robert Sobyra about the real data behind the housing crisis, construction insolvencies, a medium-long term look at the labour shortage, productivity and much more!!
In this week’s episode, I had a captivating conversation with Robert Sobyra, who is Head of Policy, at the Australian Constructors Association (ACA). Rob’s unique position allowed us to delve into the data and insights behind the current state of the horizontal (commercial buildings) and vertical (infrastructure) construction market.
As the Head of Policy, he possesses an in-depth understanding of the facts that lie beneath the headlines. We explored pressing topics such as the housing crisis, the facts behind insolvencies, and uncovering surprising reasons behind the ‘housing crisis’, labour and productivity issues within the construction industry.
One of the key issues we discussed was the scarcity of skilled workers and resources within the construction industry, a challenge that is expected to intensify in upcoming years, and what Australian businesses can do about it. We examined the causes behind this shortage and contemplated potential strategies for the industry to attract more suitable candidates.
Moreover, we addressed the concerning increase in construction companies going into administration and unveiled the underlying factors that challenge the narrative presented by media headlines. Rob’s opinions were grounded in thorough data analysis and research, making him an excellent guest for the show.
Although time constraints limited our discussion, I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and anticipate inviting Rob as a guest again in the future to gain fresh perspectives on the ever-evolving market.
Amongst other things in this podcast, we discussed:
- Productivity enhancement, both in terms of human resources and technological advancements such as digitalisation and AI.
- The future of construction, particularly highlighting the recent FCON summit and the aspirations of Tier one contractors represented by the ACA
- The impact of the pandemic on people’s living situations and housing dynamics
- The Australian Property Market
- Upskilling and Training Employees
- Maximising Efficiency in the Construction Industry
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
If you work in the built environment, have an interest in property development, transitioning your career from one market sector into other fields of property, development and construction, then have a listen!
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Building Talks Podcast
Talking to professionals in construction, property development, architecture, and beyond.
