Solving Australia's Construction Labour Shortage: Insights from Robert Sobyra of BuildSkills Australia

05/27/24 • 61 min

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Hey, Legends! Welcome to this week's episode of the Building Talks podcast! We're excited to welcome back Robert Sobyra from BuildSkills Australia. You might remember Robert from when he was with the Australian Constructors Association. Now at BuildSkills Australia, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

In this episode, we dive into BuildSkills Australia, Robert's role, and tackle hot topics in the construction industry. We chat about apprenticeships, migration, and strategies to attract more people into trades in Australia. With a looming housing crisis, we explore solutions, the importance of training pathways, and how to get more people into modern apprenticeships in construction and property.

Robert backs up his insights with solid data and research, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of construction. We discuss the impending labour shortage, especially in trades, and what the industry needs to do to meet the upcoming demand for housing, infrastructure, and public projects. With major events like the Olympics in Southeast Queensland and various government initiatives, there's a lot on the horizon.
Key Takeaways:

The housing crisis is driven by factors like immigration, social housing, and infrastructure.
BuildSkills Australia focuses on training for construction and property.
Diverse strategies are needed to tackle labour shortages, including increased participation, retaining older workers, and migration.
Incentives are crucial to boost apprenticeships.
Changing industry culture to attract more women and create inclusivity is essential.
Female participation in construction is increasing, but gender parity is still far off.
Apprenticeships are vital to bringing more people into trades, but quality employers and supervisor support are needed.
Apprenticeship completion rates are similar to university degrees, allowing young people to explore various career paths.
Modern construction methods and prefabrication are key to meeting housing demands.

Chapters:
00:00 Understanding the Factors Contributing to the Housing Crisis

03:03 The Role of BuildSkills Australia in Vocational Education and Training

06:35 Addressing Labour Shortages: A Mix of Strategies

11:33 The Importance of Demand-Side Incentives for Apprenticeships

28:37 The Shift in Female Participation in the Construction Industry

34:22 Selecting Quality Employers for Apprenticeships

36:05 Comparing Completion Rates for Apprenticeships and University Degrees

49:23 Increasing Productivity through Modern Methods of Construction
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland. Fo

The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.

Contact The Building Talks Podcast

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Visit us on our website
Email us at [email protected]

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text!

The housing crisis is driven by factors like immigration, social housing, and infrastructure.
BuildSkills Australia focuses on training for construction and property.
Diverse strategies are needed to tackle labour shortages, including increased participation, retaining older workers, and migration.
Incentives are crucial to boost apprenticeships.
Changing industry culture to attract more women and create inclusivity is essential.
Female participation in construction is increasing, but gender parity is still far off.
Apprenticeships are vital to bringing more people into trades, but quality employers and supervisor support are needed.
Apprenticeship completion rates are similar to university degrees, allowing young people to explore various career paths.
Modern construction methods and prefabrication are key to meeting housing demands.

Chapters:
00:00 Understanding the Factors Contributing to the Housing Crisis

03:03 The Role of BuildSkills Australia in Vocational Education and Training

06:35 Addressing Labour Shortages: A Mix of Strategies

11:33 The Importance of Demand-Side Incentives for Apprenticeships

28:37 The Shift in Female Participation in the Construction Industry

34:22 Selecting Quality Employers for Apprenticeships

36:05 Comparing Completion Rates for Apprenticeships and University Degrees

Contact The Building Talks Podcast

Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram
Visit us on our website
Email us at [email protected]

Previous Episode

Unlocking Australian Property Development Challenges: In-Depth Discussion with Industry Expert Illan Samuel

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Hey Legends! Welcome back to The Building Talks Podcast! Join us for a captivating conversation with Illan Samuel, founder of Samuel Property, as we delve into the dynamic world of construction and property development in Australia, specifically in Victoria. Discover valuable insights into market conditions, challenges, and opportunities in today's landscape.
Key takeaways include the importance of finding opportunities, building relationships, and networking effectively in property development. Learn how experience, strategic approaches, and collaboration play vital roles in navigating the evolving industry.
Whether you're a professional in the field or simply interested in the property market, this episode offers thought-provoking discussions and potential solutions. Tune in now to gain valuable insights and stay ahead in the Australian construction scene!
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
10:03 The Evolution of Ilan Samuel's Development Projects
25:06 Avoiding Mistakes in Property Development
34:36 Challenges and Changes in the Property Development Landscape
43:41 The Role of Local Politicians and Qualified Professionals
54:34 Streamlining the Planning Process
01:01:29 The Potential for Growth in the Apartment Building Sector
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland. For an overview of our service, visit:
www.buildingenvirons.com.au
Don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to The Building Talks podcast so you don't miss any updates.
#BuildingTalksPodcast #Construction #PropertyDevelopment #Australia #Victoria #RealEstate #MarketInsights #SamuelProperty #HighEndProjects #PostCOVID #UrbanDevelopment #PolicyImpact #IndustryInsights #PropertyMarket

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Visit us on our website
Email us at [email protected]

Next Episode

Uncovering Hidden Challenges: Land and Water Contamination in Aussie Construction with Stantec's Bobby Wang & Geordie McMillan!

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Hey, Legends! Welcome to this week's episode of The Building Talks Podcast! Have you ever noticed how on shows like Grand Designs, whenever they start digging for basements or substructures, they always hit some unexpected snag with costs or conditions? Well, we're diving into that today!

I had an amazing chat with Bobby Wang and Geordie McMillan, senior environmental specialists at Stantec, a top-notch engineering firm. We dug into the nitty-gritty of land and water contamination and its impact on the built environment. With the housing crisis, building on brownfield sites in Australian cities is a hot topic.

We covered historic projects like the Cranburn landfill in Victoria and the Westgate Tunnel, both facing significant challenges due to contaminated land. We also discussed a project on Barkley Street in Melbourne and how contamination was handled there.

Bobby and Geordie shared their expertise on the role of environmental scientists and engineers in mitigating risks on contaminated sites. This episode is different from our usual chats, focusing on contamination more than buildings but packed with insights for developers and anyone in construction.

If you want to learn how environmental assessments can make or break a project and navigate these challenges, this episode is for you. I had a blast with this conversation, and I’m sure you will too!
Key Takeaways:

Brownfield sites pose challenges and opportunities for housing development.
Land and water contamination require thorough site investigations to identify risks.
Historical land use, industrial activities, and environmental factors are crucial in assessing contamination.
Land contamination affects human health, property value, and environmental sustainability.
A sustainable and risk-based approach is essential for remediation and disposal.
Responsible disposal and management of contaminants are crucial for sustainable development.
Brownfield development helps address housing shortages and urban challenges.
Science is key to demystifying contamination and mitigating risks.

Chapters:

Challenges and Opportunities of Brownfield Sites

The Impact of Land and Water Contamination on Development

Challenges and Opportunities in Remediation

Evolving Nature of Contaminants

Brownfield Development and Urban Planning

Demystifying Contamination and Risk Mitigation
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland. For an overview of our service, visit:
www.buildingenvirons.com.au
Don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to The Bui

Contact The Building Talks Podcast