The construction industry in Canberra is facing a critical skills gap that threatens the industry’ssustainability and quality of output. To address this, it is critical that the Government take part in tackling
these challenges and invests significantly and consistently in the next generation of skilled workers.
The ACT Government should leverage its significant purchasing power in procurement and the
construction industry to address ongoing acute skills shortages by providing opportunities for apprentices
and trainees to upskill and train on major government construction project sites.
Recognising that current large-scale ACT Government projects like the raising London Circuit, light rail
stage 2B and the Canberra Hospital expansion projects are currently working towards minimum labour
spends on apprentice employment. There exist no mandatory minimum targets for government projects
and no defined contract value at which mandatory minimum targets apply.