Collaboratively shaping the future of construction training
Across Queensland, industry leaders took part in roundtables to help guide the development of future-focused construction training and skills.
The TAFE Centre of Excellence Construction Tech has engaged with construction industry stakeholders across Queensland and Australia through a series of face-to-face and virtual roundtables, gathering valuable insights to help shape the future of workforce training and skills development.
Held throughout June and July 2026, the roundtables brought together industry leaders, employers, training professionals and sector representatives to explore practical solutions that will support the adoption of digital and advanced construction technologies across the industry. More than 170 people registered for the virtual roundtable and face-to-face sessions in Cairns, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Rockhampton and Brisbane.
The discussions focused on identifying industry-supported approaches to workforce development, with participants sharing perspectives on emerging technologies, modern methods of construction, workforce pathways and the skills required to meet the sector's evolving needs.
With more than 280,000 Queenslanders working in construction, the engagement sessions provided a valuable opportunity for industry to contribute directly to the Centre’s future priorities and initiatives. Participants explored ways to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies, strengthen pathways between training, qualifications and employment, ensure training remains aligned with current and future workforce demands, and improve access to training across diverse regional and metropolitan contexts.
Industry representatives also shared practical feedback on actions they would support within their organisations, regional workforce challenges and opportunities, potential partnerships and co-design initiatives, and considerations for delivering training effectively across Queensland's varied communities and locations.
Tim Lyne, Workforce and Training Manager at BESIX Watpac, attended the industry roundtable at TAFE Queensland's Acacia Ridge campus and said the event provided a valuable opportunity for industry leaders to collaborate on solutions to the construction sector's most pressing workforce challenges.
"The roundtable brought industry representatives together to discuss key challenges facing the sector, particularly the shortage of skilled workers needed to meet future demand," Mr Lyne said.
“We need to create new pathways into the workforce, not only through apprenticeships and traineeships, but by engaging diverse and underrepresented groups, including women, long term unemployed and veterans, and supporting them to build long-term careers in the industry.”
Mr Lyne said the greatest benefit of the roundtable was the opportunity to develop practical, industry-wide solutions.
"These conversations are important, but they must lead to meaningful action. By working together across all areas of the industry, we can deliver real initiatives that strengthen the workforce and support the industry's continued growth."
Executive Director of the TAFE Centre of Excellence Construction Tech, Kaz Harris-Brown, said insights gathered through the roundtables will play a critical role in informing how the Centre translates industry priorities into practical training solutions and targeted workforce development initiatives.
"The level of engagement across the roundtables has been outstanding and highlights the shared commitment between education and industry in shaping the future of construction training," Mr Harris-Brown said.
"Collaboration with industry is essential to ensuring training solutions remain relevant, practical and responsive to emerging needs. The insights shared during these discussions will help guide how we develop innovative training, address critical workforce gaps across the sector, support the adoption of construction technology, and modern construction methods."
The TAFE Centre of Excellence Construction Tech, led by TAFE Queensland, is a $73.8 million joint initiative by the Australian and Queensland Governments to drive innovation in training and skills development to strengthen the construction workforce.
Through targeted, industry-led training solutions, the Centre is addressing current and emerging skills needs across the construction sector, supporting housing delivery, and major infrastructure projects.