Labour Ready: How to Find Skilled Workers
The electrical industry is at a crossroads. Demand for skilled electricians has never been stronger, with renewable energy projects, data centres, infrastructure upgrades and housing construction all competing for labour. Yet the number of new apprentices entering the trade has fallen, creating concern across the sector about how future demand will be met.
The slowdown in commencements has been most evident since the wind-back of federal subsidy programs in 2024. Many employers, already feeling the effects of a quieter construction market in some states, have been reluctant to commit to new starts. At the same time, training providers are facing challenges of their own, with limited teaching capacity and long waiting times for core electrical units.
This combination has created what some are calling an “apprenticeship crisis.” But while the situation is serious, it also offers an opportunity to reshape how the industry attracts, supports and retains its future workforce.