Fast tracking qualifications in the building sector is one way to help build more houses. Photo: file greenleaf123.
Labor is promising to invest $78 million to fast track the qualification of 6000 tradies to help reach the goal of building 1.2 million new homes over the next five years.
In an election commitment, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said if re-elected, the government would use its next term to establish the Advanced Entry Trades Training program to help experienced but unqualified workers get the qualifications and recognition they deserved for their work.
“We are tackling the housing shortage from every responsible angle to build more homes, more quickly, in all parts of Australia,” he said.
“We have a $43 billion plan to construct more homes around the country and our investments in skills and training are playing an important role in putting that plan into action.”
The policy has been welcomed by Master Builders Australia (MBA), while the Activate Australia’s Skills campaign says a fairer and simpler system for recognising overseas qualifications will also help the construction industry.
The government’s Advanced Entry Trades Training program would assess a participant’s existing skills via a recognition of prior learning process then fill any gaps with individualised training delivered by TAFEs and other high-quality Registered Training Organisations. Any extra training needed would be free.
The initiative is based on the successful NSW Government’s Trade Pathways for Experienced Workers program, which has seen more than 1200 students gain their trade qualification in an average time of seven months rather than several years.
The operations of the federal program, including relevant occupations for inclusion, would be based on local labour market needs which would be identified through cooperation with states and territories.
Research from MBA shows for every new qualified tradie, an extra 2.4 houses will be built each year.
Jobs and Skills Australia reports there are more than 70,000 building and plumbing labourers in Australia who currently work alongside trade-qualified workers.
Housing Minister Claire O’Neil said recognising the skills of these 6000 workers and helping them to become qualified tradies would also help deliver Labor’s election commitment to build 100,000 homes exclusively for first home buyers.
“It’s tomorrow’s tradies who will help us build our way out of this housing crisis and Labor is backing them in, every step of the way,” she said.
MBA chief executive officer Denita Wawn said the existing skills recognition process was often a barrier, especially for migrants already in Australia with the skills but no clear path to utilise them.
““The current system is cumbersome, costly, slow, and in some cases completely unnecessary,” Ms Wawn said.
“When seeking to attract more skilled trades into Australia, it’s crucial to also look at the talented individuals already here who are stuck in limbo because of an overly complex system. This funding will help remove those barriers.”
But Activate Australia’s Skills campaign spokesperson Violet Roumeliotis said a more efficient approach was needed to recognise overseas qualifications.
She said tailored support for skilled migrants in key sectors with high rates of workforce shortages would also help boost such sectors as construction, renewables and healthcare.
“Thousands of skilled people are stuck in a bureaucratic maze to get their skills recognised while industries go without the talent they desperately need,” she said.
“This is smart, practical reform that will boost capacity, reduce costs, and help Australia meet its big goals. We all win with this reform.
“We call on all political parties to commit to reforming the skills recognition system in the next term of parliament. This issue is bigger than politics; it’s about building a nation where everyone can contribute to their fullest. We would all be better for it.”
Independent Member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, has strongly backed the Activate Australia’s Skills campaign.
“There are thousands of highly skilled workers with overseas qualifications, already living in Australia, who have not had their qualifications recognised and so are not able to contribute to addressing the skills shortages currently found in a third of Australia’s occupations,” Ms Spender said.
“I support all the proposed measures of the Activate Australia’s Skills campaign and have been a strong advocate for system reforms that streamline qualification recognition for skilled migrants and reduce the barriers to participating in and contributing to Australia’s economy.
“I also recognise that cost is a barrier to skills qualifications and support mechanisms to remove financial barriers that prevent skilled migrants working within their field.”
