Building surge creates shortage
Geraldton has a shortage of tradies across a number of different fields, according to the Master Builders Association WA.
A surge in home building has meant the industry is struggling to meet demand, despite the State’s construction employee level standing at a record 145,710 people.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released last week revealed new home activity increased 5.1 per cent in the September quarter last year.
WA also recorded its strongest quarter for new builds of multi-unit dwellings.
MBA WA regional manager Di Gilleland said the shortage of tradies was experienced not just in Geraldton, but around the State.
She said the industry needed more apprentices to fill the void.
“With our tradies, we’re an ageing workforce,” she said.
“We need to get older, experienced people to take on tradies so they can teach them the skills they have learnt, otherwise it’s lost.”
Mrs Gilleland said the lack of qualified tradespeople had delayed the construction of houses in Geraldton.
She said the tradies shortage was having a financial impact on industries.
“When you’re short on tradies, it puts the timeframe of the construction behind,” she said.
“If your builder is being held up with trade shortages, then the people who are trying to move into that house are paying rent (elsewhere), and it’s costing them money.
“It’s also costing the builder money because they’re behind.”
Mrs Gilleland said to go with the general lack of tradespeople in Geraldton, there was also a lack of quality tradespeople available.
She urged people to make sure they were dealing with a qualified tradesperson.
“When there’s a boom you get people from everywhere and it’s a bit of a shame, because you’ve got to look at the quality you’re getting,” she said.
“Within in our industry, we’ve got some very good employers who take on apprentices, and they’re fantastic. They are very diligent with their employees.”
Mrs Gilleland encouraged people who were out of work or looking for a career change to meet with builders face to face, to see if an apprenticeship would interest them.
