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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationWA needs more tradies to build the homes we need
WA needs more tradies to build the homes we need
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HIA Western Australia Executive Director Michael McGowan said the national shortage was being felt particularly strongly in WA, where the competition for skilled workers is particularly challenging when competing with so many other parts of the economy that are doing well.
“WA needs more homes, but ultimately we need the people to build them,” Mr McGowan said.
“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.
"On National Tradie Day HIA is calling on 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," said Mr McGowan.
“HIA is also calling for greater regional training opportunities, strategic skilled migration where shortages cannot be filled locally and improved recognition of overseas trade qualifications."
Mr McGowan said WA has an opportunity to make skilled trades a much bigger part of its workforce strategy following a number of workshops held by the WA Government over the last 12 months.
"We have seen apprentice numbers grow by more than 50% since 2019 and on National Tradies Day, it's important that we celebrate those that have chosen a trade and are making a difference every day.
“We also need to change the way we talk to young Australians about careers. Tradies can earn while they learn, develop skills that will remain in demand and have a genuine pathway to running their own business," Mr McGowan said.
“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.
“We have also seen a rise on content creators in the trade space with many now using Tik Tok and Instagram to showcase their craft, its attracting a huge number of consumers but also getting people interested in what happens onsite.
“WA’s future will be built by WA tradies,” concluded Mr McGowan.
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HIA Victoria not failing housing targets as badly as others is not success
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HIA Safety Summit headlines National Safe Work Month
HIA’s annual Safety Summit is being held today in Adelaide (8 October) and will bring together industry leaders, regulators and workplace safety experts, providing practical guidance to help residential builders and tradies create safer worksites and support compliance in an ever-changing world.
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Housing targets remain as important as ever
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