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BuildSkills Australia has continued to expand its national reach, appointing an inaugural State Manager Industry Engagement, Western Australia.

If your business plans to tender for Australian Government construction contracts valued at $10 million or more, there are some important changes which commenced on 1 July 2024, which you’ll need to be aware of. The changes are part of the Australian Skills Guarantee, which is a key commitment under the Australian Government’s Secure Australian Jobs Plan.

BuildSkills Australia has welcomed award-winning architect and former Master Builders Victoria stakeholder engagement specialist Ingrid Mountford to the team. Ms Mountford will take up the role of Victoria and Tasmania State Manager, Industry Engagement, and brings a deep understand of people-centred engagement having worked in both the private and public sectors of the building and construction industry.

BuildSkills Australia has appointed vocational education specialist and commercial site manager Adam Pringle to its growing Industry Engagement team. Mr Pringle had more than 30 years’ experience in the building and construction industry and holds active licences in Queensland across all levels of building, joinery, carpentry, shop fitting and pool safety inspecting.

Modern Methods of Construction (MCC) offer the opportunity to rethink how we design and build much-needed housing. The Queensland Government’s commitment to create up to 600 new modular homes will speed up the rollout of much needed housing, while also demonstrating the benefits of MMC.

The Australian Skills Guarantee Procurement Connected Policy will be a win for the construction industry, helping to boost apprenticeship and trainee opportunities across the country.

A recent report on global talent has found Australia is the number one work destination for overseas workers. This is good news for the Built Environment Sector, with labour shortages predicted over the coming years. A strategic approach to skilled migration will be essential to meet future workforce needs.

We estimate an extra 90,000 workers will be needed in the building sector to achieve the National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million homes over five years. The Australian Government is leaning-in to this challenge with a $90 million Budget commitment to boost the supply of skilled labour.

Is the built environment workforce equipped to deliver the clean energy investment boom? Our submission to the Australian Government's Electricity and Energy Sector Plan highlights some of the key challenges in tooling-up the workforce for the renewables transition.

Now more than ever, Australia needs a high-performing VET system that responds to the changes occurring across the economy and supports all Australians to fully participate in the workforce.

Angus Thompson at the SMH/Age reports BuildSkills' analysis that an additional 90,000 construction workers will be needed to deliver the National Housing Accord.

Renee McKeown at The Urban Developer reports insights from BuildSkills' Executive Director Research and Planning, Robert Sobyra.

Any contractor that has done a government job will be familiar with training targets. These policies require that a certain percentage of hours worked on government projects...

The latest release of NCVER’s Apprentices and Trainees dataset revealed a concerning collapse in apprentice commencements in the 2022-23 financial year.

What is the biggest challenge facing South Australia’s built environment sector?

At the end of the month, several key qualifications in the building and construction sector will reach their cut-off point...