The Housing Industry Association (HIA) recently commented that the strength of the local residential construction industry during 2015 has continued into 2016.
Latest ABS figures show that from January to March this year 1,587 approvals have been issued for new dwellings in the Hunter and Central Coast regions, an increase of 37.17 per cent when compared to the same period in 2015. Over this period multi-unit approvals have increased by 42.67 per cent, while detached house approvals increased by 33.66 per cent.
“The current strength of new home building activity has created further opportunities for local tradesman. However this, combined with fluctuations in the NSW property market over the past 10 years, have placed considerable strain on the industry’s workforce,”HIA Executive Director Hunter, Craig Jennion, said.
“There is no secret to the fact that there remains a structural shortage of skilled labour in some sections of the housing industry. In addressing this the NSW Governments support to develop industry skills through Smart and Skilled funding must be applauded.”
As a registered training organisation, HIA continues to offer a range of qualifications and short courses to meet this demand, including the ever-popular Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) qualification.
As the core qualification for those wishing to obtain a Builders or Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry Renovation licence this qualification covers the skills and knowledge needed by professional builders in the low-rise residential sector of the building industry.
In late May HIA will be commencing their next Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) qualification.
“At a reduced cost this Smart and Skill funded qualification will assist to attract the workers we so desperately need to bolster an ageing workforce and address the skills shortage the approvals boom is causing on the industry’s workforce,” Craig continued.
“Vocational training such as this qualification assists to provide jobs that is crucial to the Hunter economy and provides students the training they need to assist them on their path to business success.”