Training the next generation of local trades remains essential, but for many businesses in the residential building industry, skilled migration is also becoming an important part of the workforce mix.

For small- and medium-sized businesses in particular, the challenge is often not a lack of interest in employing overseas workers. It’s uncertainty about how the process works, how workers are assessed, what support is available and whether the outcome will meet the needs of the business.

It was against this backdrop that Phil Vaughan, HIA Deputy Regional Executive Director WA, recently joined a workforce delegation to the Philippines, hosted by global recruitment agency Peloton WorkReady in partnership with Absolute Immigration. The delegation was designed to give WA builders and industry representatives firsthand exposure to the systems that support the recruitment, training, assessment and migration of skilled Filipino workers into Australia’s construction sector.

‘The thing holding many businesses back is not necessarily a lack of interest,’ Phil says. ‘It’s often a lack of confidence and understanding around the process, and uncertainty about what they are likely to get at the end of it.’

The delegation was the result of collaboration between HIA, Peloton WorkReady, the Western Australian Government and the Department of Training and Workforce Development. HIA promoted the opportunity to members and to businesses that had registered with the government’s Construction Migration Office, following a series of information sessions about workforce and migration pathways.

In the end, eight delegates representing six businesses made the trip. They came from a cross-section of the residential building industry, including home renovation and extensions, HVAC and mechanical services, cabinetry, glazing and glass, and volume building.

Peloton WorkReady, which has offices in Perth and across Australia, hosted the delegation through its main operations in the Philippines. Absolute Immigration also took part, providing specialist guidance on migration pathways and employer requirements.

Visiting active building sites

The delegation visited active building sites to gain a better understanding of the Philippine construction environment. Their first stop was a 35-level multi-unit development under construction. ‘It was interesting to see a project of that scale up close,’ Phil says. ‘You could see the different stages of construction and get a sense of the workmanship, coordination and finishing processes on site.’

The group then inspected a range of detached homes, including new builds, renovations and completed properties across different price points and stages of construction. These visits gave delegates a clearer view of residential design, craftsmanship and finishing standards in the Philippines.

‘There was some really fine workmanship,’ Phil says. ‘Not every finish was exactly as we would expect in Australia but overall, you could see the skill level available in the workforce and the quality that was possible.’

A key part of the delegation was a visit to TESDA, the Philippines’ technical education and skills development authority, which Phil likens to Australia’s TAFE system. The facility gave delegates a chance to see competency-based trade training and certification processes in action, including carpentry, steel framing and electrical work.

‘It was good to see there’s a formal trade certification and training process in place,’ he says. ‘Even though the facility itself was quite basic, it helped build understanding of how workers are trained and assessed before entering the workforce.’

Workforce assessment and recruitment

The second day of the delegation focused on workforce assessment and recruitment at Peloton WorkReady’s trade testing facilities in Clark, north of Manila. Across dedicated workshops, delegates observed practical training and assessment in carpentry, timber framing, steel framing, painting, plastering, rendering, welding, fabrication, electrical, mechanical and HVAC-related trades.

Phil says this was one of the most valuable parts of the trip because it showed employers what happens before a candidate is presented for a role.

‘We saw the amount of work that goes into assessment, skills testing and training,’ he says. ‘It was not just about looking at a resume. They were able to see workers in practical environments and better understand the level of verification that can take place.’

A particular highlight was witnessing live trade testing and candidate interviews being conducted for one of Western Australia’s major construction companies. While the delegation was at the facility, ABN Group was assessing plasterers, painters and carpenters.

For Phil, that practical exposure was critical. It showed delegates how employers can move beyond paper-based checks and gain confidence in a worker’s capability before making employment decisions.

‘The qualification piece is critical,’ he says. ‘Employers need confidence that credentials are understood and aligned as closely as possible with Australian standards. The next stage is verification of competency — seeing workers perform practical tasks and assessing whether their skill level matches what the employer needs.’

The visit also included sessions at Peloton WorkReady’s Philippine office, where delegates were taken through the end-to-end process of sourcing, screening, assessing and preparing workers for employment in Australia.

Cultural awareness

Cultural awareness was another important focus. Delegates heard about the transition Filipino workers make when moving into Australian workplaces, and the role employers play in helping that transition succeed. For Phil, this part of the process is often just as important as technical skill.

‘It works both ways,’ Phil says. ‘Employers need to understand the cultural differences in play, and workers need to understand the expectations of the Australian work environment. When both sides are prepared, it creates a smooth transition.’

Absolute Immigration also led a discussion on visa options, migration pathways, employer responsibilities and compliance requirements. This helped businesses understand the practical steps involved in employing overseas workers and the importance of having specialist advice throughout the process.

The delegation also highlighted the role of the WA Government’s Construction Visa Subsidy Program, which provides grant payments of up to $10,000 to support skilled migration visa pathways for workers and help offset costs such as migration representative fees, visa application fees and relocation costs. For eligible employers, the program can make international recruitment more accessible by reducing some of the upfront cost and complexity associated with sponsorship.

Phil says these initiatives are important for smaller businesses, which may otherwise find the process difficult to navigate. ‘The cost and complexity can be a barrier,’ he says. ‘Support like this can give employers the confidence to explore options they may not have considered before.’

Once an employer selects a candidate, tailored training can also be undertaken in the Philippines while the visa process is underway. This means workers can receive employer-specific preparation before arriving in Australia, helping align their skills and expectations with the needs of the business.

‘That’s a really important part of the process,’ Phil says. ‘It means that when workers land, they have already had training that’s specific to the employer’s requirements and expectations.’

A broader solution

Throughout the delegation, a consistent message emerged: skilled migrant workers will not solve WA’s workforce challenges on their own, but they can form a broader solution. Continued investment in apprenticeships, local training and industry development remains essential, but access to experienced, enthusiastic and work-ready trades can help businesses respond to immediate demand.

Most importantly, Phil says the delegation provided participants with something that cannot be gained from a brochure or webinar — confidence. ‘It gave businesses a much clearer understanding of the process from start to finish,’ he says. ‘For those considering skilled migration as part of their workforce strategy, that direct exposure is incredibly valuable.’

By seeing the training systems, assessment processes, recruitment practices and worker support programs, delegates understood the quality, professionalism and safeguards underpinning skilled migration pathways from the Philippines to WA.

As the building industry continues its efforts to increase housing supply, initiatives such as this delegation are helping employers make informed workforce decisions and build the skilled teams needed to deliver homes for WA.

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