White Card training could help school leavers enter construction sooner
Australia will need an estimated 116,700 additional housing construction workers by 2029 and more than 300,000 extra infrastructure workers by 2030, as Year 12 students are urged to secure a White Card before graduation.
The shortage is linked in part to the National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million new homes, which is adding pressure to the workforce across housing and major projects.
National training provider National Courses is encouraging school leavers to think about construction before they finish Year 12, because some site qualifications can be completed while students are still at school.
A White Card is mandatory for anyone working on a construction site in Australia, and employers usually expect apprentices, labourers and entry-level workers to hold it.
Depending on age requirements and state regulations, many students can complete a White Card course before finishing Year 12. As a result, they can apply for apprenticeships and construction jobs sooner after graduation.
National Courses director Samuel Bohr said: “Students often think they have to finish school before they can start preparing for a trade, but that’s not always the case.”
National Housing Accord target
Samuel Bohr said the skills shortage is creating strong employment opportunities for students who want to work as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, labourers and other construction professionals.
Meanwhile, apprenticeship commencements continue to decline, raising concerns about whether Australia can build the workforce needed by 2029 and 2030.
Students can also improve their job prospects by completing short courses such as Working at Heights, Enter and Work in Confined Spaces, and Elevated Work Platform training.
Those courses depend on a student’s intended pathway, but they can help Year 12 leavers show employers that they understand site safety and are ready for entry-level work.
According to National Courses, entry-level qualifications completed before Year 12 ends can give students a head start when they apply for apprenticeships in a tight labour market.
Samuel Bohr said a White Card can be the first step into construction for many young Australians because it is widely recognised across the industry.
He said employers want workers who are motivated, safety-conscious and ready to work, so pre-graduation training may help students stand out.
As thousands of Australian students prepare for final Year 12 exams, National Courses is urging them to consider construction roles before school ends.
