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Queensland’s construction sector is seeing a rise in apprenticeship commencements as the State Government looks to address ongoing skills shortages across regional areas including the Burdekin. Photo source: Burdekin TAFE
Queensland is seeing a surge in construction apprenticeships, with the State Government claiming new figures show progress in addressing long-standing workforce shortages impacting major infrastructure and housing projects across regions including the Burdekin Shire.
According to the Government, more than 10,000 new apprentices have begun training across Queensland so far this financial year, including almost 3,000 in construction trades — representing a 27.4 per cent increase in the sector.
The State has also recorded a high number of apprenticeship completions in 2025, with nearly 13,000 Queenslanders now qualified and ready to enter the workforce.
The increase comes as Queensland continues to prepare for a major pipeline of infrastructure and construction projects in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, alongside ongoing demand for housing and regional development.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the figures were encouraging but acknowledged more work was still needed to address workforce shortages.
“Labor left us a skills shortage with a predicted peak the size of an empty Suncorp Stadium but there are promising signs we’re getting the workforce back on track and building a pipeline of tradies who’ll help deliver our generational infrastructure program,” Minister Bates said.
“We are delivering the initiatives and incentives to draw more young Queenslanders into trades and taking the CFMEU’s boot off the construction industry’s throat so future workers feel safe going to work.
“Whether it’s infrastructure for the 2032 Games, health projects or the thousands of homes we’re unlocking for Queenslanders, we are building the Queensland of the future and creating the pathways for anybody who wants to help us do so.”
The government said programs like the free Career Taster initiative through TAFE Queensland are also helping introduce Year 10 students to priority industries including construction and healthcare.
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