Published 28 May 2024
S3. Ep 31. Solving Australia’s Construction Labour Shortage: Insights from Robert Sobyra of BuildSkills Australia
Hey, Legends! Welcome to this week’s episode of the Building Talks podcast! We’re excited to welcome back Robert Sobyra from BuildSkills Australia. You might remember Robert from when he was with the Australian Constructors Association. Now at BuildSkills Australia, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
In this episode, we dive into BuildSkills Australia, Robert’s role, and tackle hot topics in the construction industry. We chat about apprenticeships, migration, and strategies to attract more people into trades in Australia. With a looming housing crisis, we explore solutions, the importance of training pathways, and how to get more people into modern apprenticeships in construction and property.
Robert backs up his insights with solid data and research, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of construction. We discuss the impending labour shortage, especially in trades, and what the industry needs to do to meet the upcoming demand for housing, infrastructure, and public projects. With major events like the Olympics in Southeast Queensland and various government initiatives, there’s a lot on the horizon.
Key Takeaways:
- The housing crisis is driven by factors like immigration, social housing, and infrastructure.
- BuildSkills Australia focuses on training for construction and property.
- Diverse strategies are needed to tackle labour shortages, including increased participation, retaining older workers, and migration.
- Incentives are crucial to boost apprenticeships.
- Changing industry culture to attract more women and create inclusivity is essential.
- Female participation in construction is increasing, but gender parity is still far off.
- Apprenticeships are vital to bringing more people into trades, but quality employers and supervisor support are needed.
- Apprenticeship completion rates are similar to university degrees, allowing young people to explore various career paths.
- Modern construction methods and prefabrication are key to meeting housing demands.
Chapters:
00:00 Understanding the Factors Contributing to the Housing Crisis
03:03 The Role of BuildSkills Australia in Vocational Education and Training
06:35 Addressing Labour Shortages: A Mix of Strategies
11:33 The Importance of Demand-Side Incentives for Apprenticeships
28:37 The Shift in Female Participation in the Construction Industry
34:22 Selecting Quality Employers for Apprenticeships
36:05 Comparing Completion Rates for Apprenticeships and University Degrees
49:23 Increasing Productivity through Modern Methods of Construction
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
#TheBuildingTalksPodcast #Construction #PropertyDevelopment #Australia #BuildSkillsAustralia #Apprenticeships #Migration #LabourShortage
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Building Talks Podcast
Talking to professionals in construction, property development, architecture, and beyond.
