Community
15 September, 2023
FNQ building sector shines
FAR North Queensland is expected to record the largest growth in construction activity in Queensland in the next 12 months.
Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) chief executive Brett Schimming said despite a cooling Far North residential building sector, overall local construction activity was predicted to increase by 18 per cent, bucking trends across the rest of Queensland.
“Residential approvals in the region have dipped by seven per cent in the last 12 months but a $3.6 billion pipeline of work pushes the region to first place for construction growth,” he said.
CSQ was in Cairns this week to urge businesses and workers to tap into $4.5 million in training funding to help boost workers to cope with the ongoing demand.
“The announcement is part of CSQ’s $50m 2023-24 Training Plan to increase Queensland’s workforce capacity,” Mr Schimming said.
“While the peak of the housing boom has washed through most of the state, major infrastructure and the new renewables boom mean there has been no break for the busy sector,” he said.
Mr Schimming said Far North construction would continue to operate under pressure as it delivered large projects like the HMAS Cairns upgrade and the Cairns Hospital expansion alongside the residential sector.
“Far North Queensland’s residential building activity has stabilised. Residential development approvals are down seven per cent from this time last year, but this represents more of sustainable state of operating, definitely not a crash,” he said.
“The infrastructure sector is thriving and needing a steady supply of skilled workers to keep major projects moving on schedule.
“CSQ estimates that Far North Queensland will have over $3.6bn worth of construction underway in the region over the next 12 months,” he said.
Mr Schimming said ongoing training and upskilling was to be a critical lifeline to the busy construction industry.
“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,” he said.
Mr Schimming said CSQ had already recorded an increase in demand for training in the Far North Queensland region.
“CSQ has registered an increase in local training enrolments, and we’ve seen strong growth in employment of construction apprentices,” he said.
“There are currently 1350 apprentices employed in Far North Queensland – that’s a 10 per cent increase from last year.
“CSQ funded training is available for individuals and businesses of all sizes – from small mum and dad trade operators, to huge workforces working on major projects.”
In the past year the fastest growing construction jobs in the region were bricklayers and stonemasons (from 150 to 620, up 316 per cent), painting trades workers (from 990 to 1830, an increase of 85 per cent), structural steel construction workers (from 150 to 280, a rise of 84 per cent), and insulation and home improvement installers (from 260 to 470, a rise of 80 per cent).
