Abstract
The Australian Construction Industry is now facing skills shortages in all trades. As an industry focused on the skill of its workforce, there is now concern the Australian standard in quality, workmanship, and productivity will inhibit both at national and international level.This research paper addresses the underlying, influential factors concerning skills shortages in the Australian construction industry. The influential factors addressed include funding, training statistics, employer expectations, financial limitations, Industrial Relations and immigration. Given the reference to skills shortages within the industry, and documented in related literature, if skills shortages are to continue to exist, their effect will impact upon the overall performance of construction companies throughout Australia.
Highlights
The construction industry in Australia is currently undergoing revolutionary changes
The research question this paper aims to address concerns the underlying issues surrounding skills shortages in the Australian construction industry
The Australian construction industry relies heavily on the skills of its workforce to be productive at both national level and international level
Summary
The construction industry in Australia is currently undergoing revolutionary changes. The National Industry Advisory Body (2003) identified a diverse range of factors contributing to current and future skill shortages. These include: an ageing workforce and forthcoming retirement rates; changing skills required from various occupations; differences in demand and/or supply of skilled workers as a result of employment arrangements; poor educational qualifications translating into smaller and lower numbers of successful job applicants; inadequate apprenticeship rates and difficulties in attracting and retaining employees (The Employment, Workplace Relations and Education References Committee, 2003). Investigating issues similar to those expressed by The Employment, Workplace Relations and Education References Committee (2003), this paper is divided into correlating themes that relate to skills shortages in the construction industry. A summary of the influential factors contributing to skills shortages is provided
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