Gympie, Fraser Coast, Bundaberg building boom creates need for more skilled tradies

With $2 billion in construction to get underway throughout Wide Bay in the next 12 months there’s a growing urgency around the need to get the region’s trade army prepared.

Wide Bay construction workers are being urged to tap into $1.1m of funded training in a bid to meet increased demand for skilled workers.

Wide Bay construction workers are being urged to tap into $1.1m of funded training in a bid to meet increased demand for skilled workers.

With Queensland building activity at record highs, Construction Skills Queensland released its $49m 2021-22 Training Plan in Bundaberg on Tuesday to boost the state’s workforce capacity.

CSQ CEO Brett Schimming said Wide Bay construction would be under intense pressure over the next 12 months with a surge in house building demand competing with strong commercial and infrastructure activity.

“Wide Bay’s house building sector has been thrown into overdrive due to HomeBuilder and other government incentives,” Mr Schimming said.

“Wide Bay housing approvals increased 68% in the last financial year,” he said.

“At the same time, the commercial and infrastructure sectors are thriving and needing a steady supply of skilled workers to keep their projects moving on schedule.

“CSQ estimates that Wide Bay will have over $2billion worth of construction underway over next 12 months,” he said.

Mr Schimming said training and upskilling would be a lifeline to the busy construction industry.

“We are going to need a trade army to get through this volume of work,” he said.

“CSQ is putting the call out to trade and site workers, and sub-contractors, to add to your skill set, get new work tickets and take advantage of this opportunity.”

Wide Bay construction workers are being urged to tap into $1.1m of funded training in a bid to meet increased demand for skilled workers.

Mr Schimming said CSQ had already recorded an increase in demand for training in the Wide Bay region.

“CSQ has already registered an increase in local training enrolments, and we’ve seen growth in employment of construction apprentices.

Wide Bay health service reveals why patients are moved to rural facilities

“There are currently 816 apprentices employed in Wide Bay Queensland – that’s a 20% increase on last year.

“CSQ funded training is available for individuals and businesses of all sizes – from small mum and dad trade operators, to huge workforces required for projects like Gympie Bypass and South Beach at Elliot Heads,” Mr Schimming said.

CSQ funding covers most and often all the costs of eligible training for workers and businesses in the construction industry.

Regional news at the heart of our best journalism