Submission: student pathways into the in-demand civil construction industry

Workforce shortages compounded by a market distortion in skills funding that favours the public vocational training system potentially compromises the delivery of major infrastructure projects.

That is the central message in a submission Civil Contractors Federation Victoria has made to Parliament’s Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee inquiry into student pathways into in-demand industries.

The inquiry is timely. The civil construction industry is an in-demand industry. It is also facing an acute workforce shortage. Two-thirds of civil construction members report that they cannot find appropriately skilled workers.

These shortages compromise the delivery of major projects, inflate costs and directly threaten Victoria’s ability to meet key policy objectives, including affordable housing targets, resilient infrastructure, and the renewable energy transition.

What’s more, we continue to face a critical shortage of skills in civil infrastructure, owing to a number of factors including challenges with cuts to industry skills funding.  This alone undermines genuine efforts to train and upskill existing workers and equivalent efforts to create a compelling and attractive career option for today’s students – tomorrow’s generation of workers.

Without accelerated efforts to expand skills training and increase accessibility of qualifications in civil construction – in collaboration with industry – infrastructure delivery and ongoing maintenance, urban development and housing targets will be at risk.

Read the full submission here: https://www.ccfvic.com.au/position-papers/

Got a question?

If you have any queries about the submission or feedback you’d like to share, email advocacy@ccfvic.com.au or for information, visit: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/news/economy/student-pathways

Submission: student pathways into in-demand industries

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