Personalise my view
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.
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.