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Construction industry highlighted during National Skills Week 2022

Highliting the construction industry during National Skills Week 2022

National Skills Week 2022 is coming up on August 22 to 28, inviting Australians and industry to explore the universe of skills on offer through vocational education and training.

A key objective of National Skills Week is to identify and highlight industries with the most in-demand jobs of the future as well as sectors forecast to see the biggest growth in coming years, such as construction. The goal is to ensure Australians can gain the training and education they need to secure jobs and maintain stable long-term employment.

National Skills Week’s Chairman Brian Wexham notes the current and forecast shortage of skilled construction workers in Australia.

Mr Wexham said: “COVID-19 has disrupted building material supply chains over the last two years, increasing the lead-times and costs of materials.”

“Industry consultancy Arcadis (Arcadis Construction Costs Index Report, 2022) has reported construction job vacancies have risen by a massive 80 per cent since late 2019. They forecast that by 2023 there will be over 100,000 unfilled roles in the sector.”

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Mr Wexham said it is critical that school leavers, job seekers, parents and career changers are informed of what the jobs of the future are.

“This will ensure our young people, yet to start careers, can gain training and skills in education which is going to secure them a job at the end of that training,” said Mr Wexham.

“Further, it will assist in funnelling Australia’s labour market into the training opportunities which are most likely going to lead to their employment in the most in-demand jobs of the future.”

Michael Morrissey, CEO of Brick and Block Careers says Brick and Blocklaying is increasingly being seen as a ‘Trade of Choice’.

“A qualified Bricklayer can get an early entry into running a subcontracting business, managing their own team, control over their profits and leading the way,” said Mr Morrissey.

“Brick and Block Careers continues to support the awareness and career pathways Brick and Blocklaying has to offer. We aim to fulfil career aspirations of young Australians and job seekers, by providing employment opportunities in Brick and Blocklaying.”

Held annually, the vision of National Skills Week is to raise awareness on the diversity of careers which can be realised through vocational education and training, the skills for an economically viable future, and the range of new jobs and skills in demand for the future.

This year’s Week will be centred around the theme of ‘A Universe of Skills’ encouraging people to go beyond their imagination to discover careers, pathways and opportunities in skills and vocational education that they may not know about.

“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 Mr 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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