AI boom could hit housing pipeline as worker shortage grows
A government-established jobs and skills commission is calling on urgent action to add thousands of skilled tradespeople to the workforce and address poaching across projects.
Australia faces a housing shortage exacerbated by an AI boom, as reported by the Powering Skills Organisation (PSO). The organisation warns that the nation lacks enough skilled workers to construct both housing and data centres, with the AI sector intensifying the workforce shortage. According to the PSO, an estimated 72,000 electricians, technicians, and related tradespeople are required by 2030 to meet demand, up from a 42,000 shortage last year.
The rapid expansion of data centres, valued at $150 billion by the end of the decade, is a major contributor to this gap. The PSO's CEO, Anthea Middleton, calls for urgent action from the government, urging strict enforcement of apprenticeship quotas for major energy projects and addressing competition for workers across various national priorities.
The housing sector, particularly small and medium businesses, faces significant challenges in training apprentices, as larger infrastructure projects often hire individuals near the end of their apprenticeship. The government's clean energy apprenticeship program, offering a $10,000 incentive, has already seen over 26,000 Australians commence traineeships, yet experts suggest that coordinated planning and compensation measures are needed to ensure a sufficient workforce for all projects.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
