{
  "id": 331468,
  "title": "Canberra apprenticeships hit a brick wall in the middle of construction boom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/canberra-apprenticeships-hit-a-brick-wall-in-the-middle-of",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-08T23:36:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-09/act-apprentice-shortage-in-the-middle-of-construction-boom/107010532"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Canberra's ongoing construction boom is being hampered by a critical shortage of apprentices in the trades, according to the Housing Industry Association. Numbers for apprentices across various trades have fallen by 20% over the past two years. Geordan Murray, executive director for the ACT and Southern NSW, noted that the residential housing downturn is a key factor behind the shrinking apprentice numbers. Bricklaying trainer Lynne Sheffield emphasized that the current training model fails to equip young apprentices with enough practical skills before they begin work on building sites. Despite the construction industry's overall strength due to commercial developments and large infrastructure projects, a downturn in residential housing has led to a dramatic drop in building houses and a corresponding increase in the construction workforce. Bricklayer Daniel Swan, who started at 15, finds it increasingly difficult to find young people willing to commit to the job, as most bricklayers on his site are over 40. Third-year apprentice Jacob Bill, who started in the industry at 21, described the path to qualification as tough but rewarding. However, he noted that the current apprenticeship model does not provide sufficient skills before exposure to on-site work. Trade school founder Lynne Sheffield highlighted the shortage of skilled labor rather than laborers and called for changes to the apprenticeship model, including more classroom time and better preparation before exposure to building sites. Murray of the Housing Industry Association pointed out the high attrition rate in the apprenticeship model and the need for ongoing employment opportunities for young people to enter the trades and replace retiring workers.",
  "summary": "Canberra is in the middle of a construction boom but if you're looking for a qualified bricklayer, there might be a bit of a wait, with just seven apprentice bricklayers currently in training in the ACT.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}