The sound of a wrench meeting a pipe is becoming the new soundtrack for career-bound students in the Eurobodalla Shire. As the South Coast of New South Wales faces an unprecedented construction boom, local building and construction trades are taking a proactive stance on their biggest challenge: a shrinking talent pool.
Start your Future program
With the launch of the Start your Future program, the region is witnessing its first-ever plumbing "taster" course designed specifically for high school students. This initiative is not just about teaching kids how to fix a leak; it is a strategic move to ensure the building industry's massive infrastructure goals—including the new Moruya Hospital and the Batemans Bay CBD reimagining—do not stall due to a lack of skilled hands.
The construction industry provides a wide range of career opportunities, including roles in building, plumbing, electrical work, and specialised trades like stonemasonry and rigging. These opportunities offer pathways for growth, skill development, and long-term stability. To succeed, workers need physical strength, technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills.
TAFE NSW first for the south coast
Starting next month, students from Batemans Bay, Moruya, and Narooma High Schools will trade their standard classrooms for a TAFE NSW campus one day a week. TAFE NSW is the leading provider of education and training for the building and construction trades across New South Wales, offering industry-relevant education to prepare students for successful careers.
Over an eight-week period, these students will learn hands-on skills and practical knowledge in plumbing, gaining experience that was previously unavailable to them until after graduation. The program focuses on high-impact, practical skills including:
- Hot and Cold Water Services: Understanding the mechanics of residential and commercial water delivery.
- Fire Services: Exploring the life-saving technical side of plumbing infrastructure.
- Drainage Systems: Mastering the essential flow and waste management systems critical to urban planning.
These programs are designed for learners seeking to build their careers in the building and construction trades. Fee-Free TAFE and subsidised training initiatives are available for many construction courses in New South Wales. Many construction trades offer apprenticeship programs, allowing individuals to study and gain hands-on skills while earning an income.
The reality of the practical skills shortage
For local business owners like Owen Davies, South Coast Manager of O'Brien Plumbing, the program could not have arrived at a better time. The days of receiving a stack of resumes for a single apprenticeship opening are, for now, a thing of the past.
"We are definitely in a skills shortage here on the South Coast," Mr. Davies notes. This course acts as a "try before you buy" model for their future careers, helping students prepare to enter the construction trades. Typically, entering construction trades in Australia involves a Certificate III or IV qualification to gain a nationally recognised apprenticeship. Furthermore, a White Card (General Construction Induction training) is mandatory for all workers to step onto a job site.
Why Eurobodalla? The economic engine
The Eurobodalla Shire is unique in its economic reliance on the building and construction trades. Data from EconomyID reveals a striking contrast:
- Construction Density: The construction industry accounts for 28.1% of all registered businesses in Eurobodalla.
- State Average: By comparison, the NSW average sits at just 17.1%.
With nearly a third of the local economy tied to construction, a shortage of plumbers is a threat to the regional economy. Nationally, the sector is projected to face a shortfall of 300,000 workers by 2027.
Mayor Mat Hatcher emphasises that the "Start your Future" program is critical to the shire's masterplan. "We are going to need more and more tradies to complete work on the CBD and surrounds in Batemans Bay," Cr Hatcher stated.
Creating sustainable career pathways
While this program begins with plumbing, it opens the door to a vast array of specialised trades required across the New South Wales construction sector. Whether it is carpentry, electrical, or bricklaying, being passionate about the "built environment" is essential for long-term fulfillment.
The industry demands a blend of creative and technical mastery. Tradespeople must interpret complex construction plans, accurately measure materials, and understand structural integrity. Beyond plumbing, the industry offers diverse roles in:
- Specialised Finishes: Painting, decorating, floor tiling, and solid plastering.
- Structural Work: Glass shaping, wood machining, and bricklaying.
- High-Tech Roles: Digital laborers skilled in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and AI-driven safety monitoring.
Most trades in NSW require a Certificate III qualification and a license from NSW Fair Trading. These structured pathways allow a student to progress from a pre-apprentice to a fully trade-qualified professional.
As TAFE NSW teacher Ethan Fisher notes, a trade qualification is a "passport" to work anywhere in the world. For the students of the South Coast, the message is clear: the jobs are there, the training is local, and the future is waiting to be built.
