National Skills Week focussed on acute labour shortage

With the Australian construction sector facing a 100,000 shortfall in skilled workers by 2023, this year’s National Skills Week has earmarked the promotion of vocational training as a core message.

The 12th edition of National Skills Week will run from August 22 to 28, with its ‘A Universe of Skills’ theme encouraging people to go beyond their imagination to discover careers, pathways and opportunities in vocational education that were previously not on their orbit.

As well as extolling the virtues of vocational careers, National Skills Week also focusses on the wide variety of new jobs in demand for the future – and the skills required to successfully navigate through those new frontiers.

“National Skills Week plays a pivotal role in strengthening and communicating the key messages of industry and government in an environment shaped by the fluid nature of skills requirements and ever-evolving technologies,” said National Skills Week Chairman, Brian Wexham.

“This initiative is designed to achieve real, transformative outcomes for Australian people – to inspire people to undertake active, participative education and training that VET provides resulting in skills that can realise immediate rewards in jobs, success and contribute to building our economy.”

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Mr Wexham added the severe shortage of skilled construction workers is slowing delivery and increasing the cost of everything from home builds to major infrastructure projects.

New South Wales and Victoria are the most affected jurisdictions – just as the state governments continue to ramp up major road, rail and other projects.

Mr Wexham continued: “The shortage of skilled construction workers is hampering the delivery of many projects in this country. COVID-19 has disrupted building material supply chains over the last two years, increasing the lead times and costs of materials.

“On top of this, workers have been able to command higher wages and be more selective than ever about their chosen employer.

“Industry consultancy Arcadis has reported construction job vacancies have risen by a massive 80 per cent since late 2019. It forecasts that by 2023 there will be over 100,000 unfilled roles in the sector.

“More serious still, Arcadis also forecast this will be almost 50 per cent greater than the number of people who are expected to be qualified to fulfill the roles.”

For more information on National Skills Week, including the events calendar, visit the National Skills Week website.