Search results

The aim of this report is to help industry, government policy makers and training providers better understand the drivers of skill needs in the construction and property services industries and identify the options for meeting those needs. This report presents industry profiles, employment trends, drivers of skill needs, strategies for addressing future gaps and vocational and technical education trends in both industries. The four main drivers of industry skill needs are: participation - worker attraction/retention, demographic change of the workforce and employment arrangements; market pressure - consumer and customer service demands, market expansion, competitiveness and productivity demands and globalisation; technological change - advancements in technology and continuing impact of e-business; regulatory compliance - occupational health and safety issues, regulatory compliance and insurance. Some of the options identified to help meet industry's skill needs include: retention of New Apprenticeships through to completion of their qualifications; improving the trades image to make it a more attractive option; encourage more women into trades and related industries; competencies in project management, business skills and customer relations to be entrenched in industry standards; qualifications need to reflect new technological requirements by reviewing skill sets and developing competencies to suit; and computer and business management skills will need to be an integrated part of training for anyone working in e-business. Many of the issues underlying skill needs are based upon the boom and bust cycles of the construction and property services industries, therefore smarter decisions on the use of the training dollar to reduce the impact that peaks and troughs have on the capacity to respond quickly will be required.