Carpenters have topped a list of most Australia's "in demand" tradies, followed by electricians.
When Caitlyn Goodman was growing up as one of four girls in her family, she never dreamed she would one day be building houses as a carpenter.
The prospect of becoming a female tradie just never occurred to her, she said.
But the signs were there, even from a young age.
"My dad was a fencer, and growing up, he taught me how to use power tools. I was always very drawn to it." Goodman, 22, said.
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During her final year of high school, Goodman worked at Bunnings in the timber yard.
"I was becoming very familiar with all the types of timbers and power tools. I was learning a lot," she said.
After finishing her higher school certificate, Goodman briefly toyed with the idea of becoming a nurse, having also worked as a ward clerk, before deciding to follow her heart and become a carpenter.
"One day, I just said, Screw it. I'm just going do it, why not? Why can't I do it?" Goodman said.
With the construction industry facing a critical shortage of workers, particularly in carpentry, getting apprentice job proved to be easy, especially after her dad put a call out to builders he knew, Goodman said.
"We got in contact with Chris, who is my boss now. He had an interview with me. He was really happy, and said, 'When can you start?'" Goodman said.
Goodman is now a third-year apprentice, helping build residential homes in the Greater Melbourne area.
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) says Australia desperately needs more people like her to have any hope of meeting Australia's ambitious construction targets.
Chippies top list of workers in demand
At the top of the "short supply" list are carpenters - the very trade Goodman is mastering.
According to the HIA, the math of the National Housing Accord simply doesn't add up without a massive influx of new boots on the ground.
Under the Accord, the Federal Government has set a target to build 1.2 million homes over five years. But according to Mike Hermon, HIA Executive Director for Future Workforce, the industry is currently missing a vital piece of the puzzle.
"Workforce shortages remain one of the biggest constraints on increasing home building activity, with the nation needing an estimated 83,000 additional skilled workers across our key trades," Hermon said.
"Shortages across key residential construction trades, particularly carpentry, are limiting building capacity across the states. Builders across the country are telling us the same thing - demand for housing is there, but access to skilled labour is holding projects back."
Recent HIA data reveals a sobering reality for the sector. A survey of small business members found that 67 percent of respondents are having trouble recruiting or retaining staff.
"If we do not train more apprentices now, the homes Australia needs simply will not be built," Hermon said.
"Every new home starts with an apprentice on site."
For Goodman, the reasons behind the shortage aren't a mystery. While she loves the reward of "building someone's dream," she said the financial barriers for young people were steep.
"People start their apprenticeship, and then it's just not everything they want - like the pay," Goodman said. "They don't want to stick around and bend over backwards for $16 an hour. Carpenters are one of the lowest-paying trades."
While the government has introduced incentives like a $10,000 apprentice grant, Goodman said the fine print often excluded those who needed it most.
"You have to be living out of home [to get the full grant], but I can't afford to move out of home," she said. "Rather than giving out grants and all that, I think, honestly, just increase the pay."
No looking back
Goodman admits that stepping on site for the first time as an apprentice was daunting.
"I was really scared, honestly, starting out," she said.
"I'd heard quite a few stories of apprentices not being treated the greatest on site, which is really disheartening to even hear now."
However, those fears were quickly dispelled.
Goodman said she found herself in a small, supportive team and was even working alongside a female chippie.
"She's made me feel a lot more comfortable working in the industry," Goodman said. "I don't get treated differently, and I don't get treated with disrespect."
Goodman is a staunch advocate for the trades, especially for other women.
"Every single time I tell people what I do, they go, 'Oh, really?' or they think I'm lying," she said.
"I tell other girls - why not? Just do it.
"I'm going to graduate and be able to actually save up to buy a house, rather than paying off student debt."
Tradie salaries by occupation
- Electrician $95,000 – $115,000
- Plumber $85,000 – $100,000
- Carpenter $80,000 – $95,000
- Painter $80,000 – $90,000
- Bricklayer$75,000 – $85,000
(Source: Seek.com.au)
Do you have a story? Contact reporter Emily McPherson at EMcPherson@nine.com.au
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