Find out how TAFE is motivating a new generation of tradies
Australia’s shortage of skilled labour in the construction sector is now critical, according to the Housing Industry Association (HIA) which claims that the country urgently needs 83,000 new workers.
Matt King, HIA’s senior economist, says that unless more skilled workers are found Australia will be unable to meet the federal government’s ambitious target of building 1.2 million new homes by 2029. [1]
“The situation is reaching a critical point,” he said. “[Because] the housing industry plays a pivotal role in providing Australians with affordable and secure homes, but we are facing an unprecedented workforce crisis.”
TAFE NSW, a leading provider of building trade skills, is responding to Australia’s pressing need for workers by offering young people several career pathways into the industry, including some “taster” courses.
Current study options include Certificate II in Construction, Certificate II in Construction Pathways and Certificate II in Electrotechnology, along with several school-based apprenticeships and traditional trade courses.
Mark Hawkins, TAFE NSW executive director of learning and teaching (Construction and Energy), says TAFE’s “taster” programs give students a basic introduction to specific trades while they are still at high school.
“These courses allow students to build their practical skills and industry-specific knowledge while, in the case of TAFE Delivered Vocational and Training (TVET) courses, also counting towards their HSC results,” he said.
Current TAFE NSW “taster” courses for students:
- Try a Trade: On-campus events featuring demonstrations and workshops where young people can explore different trades, with a focus on providing hands-on experience and career guidance;
- Girls Can Too: A program targeting young women who are interested in pursuing a career in the non-traditional trade areas;
- Youth Engagement Strategy (YES): Targets school students aged 15 and over who are undecided about their post-school options. The program aims to help these students identify career pathways by offering tasters in various industries
- Start Your Future: This initiative gets students into a TAFE-style learning setting and exposes them to vocational education in an area they are considering for future study or work. This usually involves attending a TAFE NSW campus one day per week over a number of weeks.
A new workforce takes shape
Yvette Bonner, from Nowra, fast-tracked her career as an electrician by starting her studies in Electrotechnology as a TVET student in her final years of high school.
After completing work placement with local electrical company Simmark, she was offered an apprenticeship. Once Yvette had completed her HSC, she was on the tools starting her career as an electrician.
“I believe I was the first female apprentice electrician employed at Simmark and while I admit I was a bit worried at first, I had nothing to be concerned about – they’re very supportive and I wasn’t treated any different to anyone else,” she said.
“My advice to other young women thinking of their future is to look for what interests you, and don’t discount being in a trade. I really like the work I’m doing, and there’s a lot of variety in this field so the more I try those different roles the more experience I’ll get.
“My TAFE studies gave me a strong understanding of why and how things work in a way that makes sense when I’m on the job. I’m getting the qualifications and experience I need to realise my dream.”
According to the Housing Industry Association the construction industry needs to attract many more young people like Yvette if it is to have any chance of meeting the targets set by the National Housing Accord.
HIA’s Matt King says construction job vacancies are up by 33.5% from pre-COVID 19 days, leaving Australia with a chronic shortfall of qualified tradespeople and construction professionals. [2]
“Without urgent action to increase the number of skilled workers in the construction sector, Australia risks falling well short of its target of building 1.2 million new homes. This would have adverse long-term consequences for housing affordability and the broader economy,” he said.
“While recent initiatives, like increased funding for vocational education and apprenticeship programs, are a step in the right direction, much more needs to be done to support the construction industry and meet the growing housing demand.”
If you are a student, parent or guardian who would like more information on these courses please call 131 601 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au
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