Skills, Tools & Training to Tackle GWS Housing Challenges

Greater Western Sydney (GWS) has the tools to tackle the housing supply challenge across NSW, according to a new report released today by leading advocacy group the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue and Australian building materials manufacturer James Hardie.

The report, Building Capacity: Addressing the GWS Housing Challenge, was presented to the Minister for Fair Trading, Better Regulation and Innovation, the Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong, at the GWS Construction & Skills Forum, held at the James Hardie Centre of Excellence in Kellyville.

It outlines how changing traditional job pathways, attracting new apprentices and skilled workers and increasing the use of modern materials and construction methods can help meet ambitious housing targets in GWS and across the state.

Dialogue Chairman Christopher Brown AM said that as home to most of Sydney’s construction workers and manufacturers of innovative building products, GWS was placed at the centre of solving these challenges.

“Not only is Greater Western Sydney responsible for delivering around 40 per cent of new dwellings in Sydney, it is also home to the city’s ‘tradie-belt’ where the highest concentration of construction workers reside, making the region extremely vital when it comes to delivery,” Mr Brown said.

“We’re also seeing more coordinated action across people, products and processes, including innovative initiatives like the one James Hardie is promoting to highlight career opportunities for Western Sydney locals.

“Housing is one of the region’s greatest challenges, but it also presents one of its greatest opportunities. We need to reimagine how we develop workforce skills and create a pipeline of talent capable of building the homes, communities and infrastructure Sydney needs for the future.

“Western Sydney has the industry and workers to make a major dent in the region’s housing targets.”

The Dialogue and James Hardie GWS Construction & Skills Forum brought together industry leaders, builders, educators and workforce experts for a practical discussion on how the GWS pipeline of talent can help meet the growing housing and development needs of the region.

Spotlighting new opportunities in trades is growing in Western Sydney, including James Hardie’s successful Trade Off initiative. Created in collaboration with the Parramatta Eels, the series shines a light on the benefits of doing a carpentry trade, leveraging the platform of the Eels to attract more entrants to the discipline.

The initiative is supported by current Eels player Araz Nanva, who is also doing a carpentry apprenticeship:

“Football has given me incredible opportunities, but a trade also offers me security. Games don’t last forever, injuries can happen, and having a trade means I’ll have new skills and career choices for the future.”

Following a successful pilot, James Hardie has also partnered with TAFE NSW across 35 campuses to provide training, tools and equipment to help apprentices be prepared for real-world scenarios.

John Arneil, APAC President at James Hardie, said the organisation’s work with both TAFE and the Parramatta Eels has shown a new way to help recruit the next generation of tradies and help them become job-ready faster, while supporting housing delivery projects across the region.

“Construction is already a powerhouse industry in Western Sydney. We are proud to be providing opportunities for members of our local communities to not only enter construction trades but also understand the value that these careers can add to their lives,” Mr Arneil said.

“Targeted training and micro-credentials can equip workers with specific construction skills needed on today’s building sites, including prefabrication, modern construction methods, digital technologies and specialist installation techniques.

“As Western Sydney continues to grow, we need to work smarter and start doing more with less by using modern materials and methods that help reduce the build time and labour intensity of residential building.”

THE FULL REPORT IS AVAILABLE HERE

FULL SUITE OF EVENT IMAGES CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE