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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationTrades buck national enrolment downturn
Trades buck national enrolment downturn
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Australia's residential building industry is bucking the national training trend after new figures reveal construction trade qualifications continue to grow despite an overall decline in VET enrolments, HIA Executive Director Future Workforce Mike Hermon said today.
“New National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) data shows overall qualification enrolments fell by more than five per cent in 2025,” said Mr Hermon.
“However, Architecture and Building was the only major field of education to record growth, with almost 14,000 additional enrolments, while Construction, Plumbing and Services and Electrotechnology qualifications also posted strong gains.
“The figures show more Australians are recognising that a career in residential construction offers secure employment, strong earning potential and the opportunity to make a real difference.
“While qualification enrolments are falling across much of the VET sector, construction is moving in the opposite direction. That's a strong vote of confidence in careers that build Australia's homes.
“Young Australians can see there is no shortage of work. They can earn while they learn and step straight into an industry crying out for skilled workers.
“The increase in enrolments is encouraging, but Australia is still well short of the workforce needed to meet its housing ambitions.
“HIA estimates Australia needs another 83,000 skilled tradespeople to deliver the homes Australians need.
“Getting more people through the front door is great news, but now we have to keep them there. Around half of all construction apprentices don't complete their training, so lifting completion rates must be the next priority.
“Housing is no longer competing for skilled workers within the construction sector alone. Residential building is now competing with major transport and energy infrastructure projects, defence programs including AUKUS, the transition to net zero, and the rapid expansion of data centres. Every one of these sectors is drawing from the same finite pool of skilled workers.
“That means Australia needs to double down on growing its skilled workforce. We need targeted investment in apprenticeships, stronger support for the small businesses that train the overwhelming majority of apprentices, and long-term certainty around skills funding.
“If we're serious about delivering more homes while also delivering our broader national priorities, we need more skilled workers coming through the front door and more of them completing their training,” concluded Mr Hermon.
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