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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationNorthern Territory requires more tradies to build the homes we need
Northern Territory requires more tradies to build the homes we need
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Australia’s Future is Built by Tradies, warns the residential building industry is already around 83,000 skilled workers short.
HIA Executive Director NT Luis Espinoza said the national shortage was being felt particularly strongly in NT, where demand continues for roles in every aspect of residential construction and if statements by government are true, the shortage will only become worse.
“NT needs more homes, but ultimately we need the people to build them,” Mr Espinoza said.
“Residential builders are increasingly competing for skilled workers with commercial construction, the fast emergence of data centres, gas and mining infrastructure and various other projects.
“Everyone wants the electrician, the carpenter and other skilled tradespeople, but we are all drawing from the same limited workforce.
“For housing, that matters. When builders can’t find the workers they need, homes take longer to build, costs rise and getting more keys into the hands of homebuyers becomes harder.”
The HIA report calls for governments to elevate trade careers, improve apprenticeship attraction and completion, better support the small businesses that employ apprentices, strengthen school-to-trade pathways and expand workforce capacity.
It also calls for greater regional training opportunities, strategic skilled migration where shortages cannot be filled locally and improved recognition of overseas trade qualifications.
Mr Espinoza said NT has an opportunity to make skilled trades a much bigger part of its workforce strategy.
For the NT to prosper and grow, there needs to be an emphasis on apprenticeships particularly now when migration has become a target and subject to restrictions. We need to grow our own and continue to reassure young school leavers that a career in residential construction is dependent on them. They are to build Australia’s future and more importantly the NT.
Governments must continue to support through incentives for employers, apprentices, and schools to promote career pathways in construction as a satisfying choice.
“We also need to change the way we talk to young Australians about careers.
“University will remain the right choice for many, but an apprenticeship should not be treated as second choice.
“Tradies can earn while they learn, develop skills that will remain in demand and have a genuine pathway to running their own business.
“And in an economy being reshaped by AI, those practical skills are only becoming more valuable.
“Technology can help design a home, prepare an estimate or manage a project. It still can’t turn up on site and build the house.
“NT has ambitious plans for housing, infrastructure and economic growth. Those plans all depend on people with the skills to deliver them.
“If we want to build more, we need to train more.
“NT’s future is built by tradie,” concluded Mr Espinoza.
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