News

MEDIA RELEASE: Building boom increases capacity to support industry

8 August 2021

The number of home renovations and extensions in South Australia have surged by almost 38 per cent during the past 12 months, according to the latest figures from the Construction Industry Training Board.

Construction of new dwellings also has boomed with a more than 60 per cent increase in new housing under development between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021,  compared to the previous 12-month period.

New swimming pools are popular too with a 46.2 per cent increase recorded during the past 12 months.

Construction industry trends across a range of sectors, from apartment buildings to solar farms, since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 are revealed in data collected by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

Real-time data on building and construction projects valued over $40,000 in South Australia is recorded through the Construction Industry Training Fund, administered by the CITB, which provides specialised programs and support for training and skills development in the construction industry.

Funding is invested in crucial areas such as apprenticeship support payments for employers, affordable training programs and linking further education to in-demand construction careers.

CITB chief executive Andrew Fullgrabe said increased building and construction activity created a greater capacity for the CITB to provide the targeted support and training required by industry.

“The CITB exists to facilitate excellence in training, career development and advice to the construction industry and its partners, and a healthy industry ensures we can continue to achieve this,” Mr Fullgrabe said.

“The CITB is resolutely focused on ensuring the skills of construction workers are of the highest standard, while providing a clear and attractive pathway into the industry for workers of the future. 

"Funding generated from a boom in building and construction projects is allocated in a thoughtful, evidence-based, targeted manner for the benefit of the industry at large.

“We invest in crucial areas that matter like apprenticeship support, affordable training and work placements, linking further education to construction careers and direct funding to employers for high quality training.

“Importantly, the CITB continues to work hand-in-hand with industry and government to ensure significant challenges, such as a global pandemic and materials shortages, do not impact on jobs.

“The uptake of training places has improved. It is especially pleasing to see the number of supported training places in regional areas increase by nearly 5 per cent. 

"The CITB is currently supporting over 6000 apprentices across the state, up by nearly 5 per cent from last year. This is a great result given the circumstances and a testimony to the resilience of the industry.”

Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said the sustained surge in building activity across South Australia was a testimony to how the Marshall Government had risen to the health and economic challenges posed by the pandemic.

“Creating one of the safest places on earth and delivering $4 billion in stimulus support whilst driving a record $17.9 billion investment in infrastructure has protected thousands of businesses and hundreds of thousands of jobs,” Mr Pisoni said.

“Skilling the workforce is necessary to support our building boom and has been a priority of the Marshall Government. The CITB has been integral to that success.”

Data compiled by the CITB, for the 12 months from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021, shows:

·       New houses, units, townhouses and apartments increased by 60.5 per cent, from 7,848 to 12,594.

·       Renovated/extended houses, units, townhouses and apartments increased by 37.8 per cent, from 1,734 to 2,390.

·       Subdivisions increased by 59.4 per cent, from 64 to 102.

·       Swimming pools increased by 46.2 per cent, from 573 to 838.

·       Farming, livestock and agriculture building increased by 32.8 per cent, from 268 to 356.

·       Hostel, aged care facility and student accommodation increased by 38.1 per cent, from 21 to 29.

·       Solar farms decreased by 40.5 per cent, from 42 to 25.

·       Apartment building decreased by 42.9 per cent, from 49 to 28.

Mr Fullgrabe said the data was a valuable tool to provide detailed insight into trends of more than 40 sub-sectors of the building and construction industry in South Australia.

For further information please contact:

Andrew Fullgrabe | CITB Chief Executive Officer | +61 401 170 176 | andrewf@citb.org.au

Jo Herraman | CITB Communications Manager | +61 400 780 949 | joh@citb.org.au

Michael Owen | Owen Media Relations | +61 400 042 214 | michael@owenmediarelations.com.au