Key Takeaways:
- Construction work shortages highlight potential training opportunities, but RTOs should assess regional employer demand before expanding their course offerings.
- The CPC training package provides qualifications for trades experiencing workforce shortages, including carpentry, plumbing, bricklaying and tiling.
- Infrastructure investment could increase demand for construction training in site operations, civil construction and specialised trade skills, particularly in regional areas.
- Digital technologies, modern building methods and sustainability practices are creating new skill requirements that RTOs should consider when reviewing training delivery.
- High-quality CPC training resources support effective teaching through clear technical explanations, engaging learning activities and practical assessment guidance.
Australia continues to face skills shortages across parts of the construction workforce, including trades involved in housing, infrastructure and energy projects. As workforce shortages persist, RTOs have an opportunity to examine where construction training could help address industry needs and strengthen pathways into skilled occupations.
However, growing demand for workers doesn’t automatically translate into demand for every qualification. Identifying promising opportunities requires a closer look at workforce forecasts, regional employment needs and developments within the CPC training package. The following trends highlight areas RTOs may wish to investigate.
What the Latest Construction Workforce Shortage Figures Reveal
Australia’s construction workforce continues to face skills shortages, even as the proportion of occupations in shortage nationally has declined. The 2025 workforce data highlight several pressures that may influence vocational education and training needs.
- Trade shortages remain widespread. According to Jobs and Skills Australia’s 2025 Occupation Shortage List, nearly half of trade occupations remained in shortage, despite the overall proportion of occupations in shortage falling to 29%.
- Infrastructure labour shortages could intensify. Infrastructure Australia forecasts shortages of Trades Workers and Labourers reaching approximately 126,000 by mid-2027.
- Regional demand presents particular challenges. Infrastructure workforce shortages in regional areas are projected to quadruple between 2025 and 2027, partly driven by energy and utilities projects.
These projections suggest opportunities for RTOs to investigate construction skills shortages and potential training gaps. However, national forecasts should be considered alongside local employer demand, existing training provision and the specific occupations experiencing shortages.
Where Construction Training Opportunities Could Emerge
Building Trades in Shortage and Relevant CPC Qualifications
Jobs and Skills Australia’s 2025 Occupation Shortage Drivers Report identifies several construction trade groups experiencing workforce shortages. For RTOs, these occupations offer a clearer starting point for identifying qualifications that could help develop the skilled workforce employers need.
Relevant occupations and their associated training pathways include:
- Carpenters and Joiners: CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry and CPC31920 Certificate III in Joinery develop trade skills relevant to timber construction, structural carpentry and joinery work.
- Bricklayers and Stonemasons: CPC33020 Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying and CPC32320 Certificate III in Stonemasonry provide specialist pathways for masonry and stone construction.
- Plumbers: CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing develops skills relevant to installing, maintaining and repairing plumbing systems across residential and commercial settings.
- Painters: CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating provides trade training in surface preparation, coating application and finishing techniques.
- Wall and Floor Tilers: CPC31320 Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling develops skills in preparing surfaces, installing tiles and completing residential and commercial tiling work.
These qualifications offer pathways into trades experiencing workforce shortages. RTOs should assess local employer demand, apprenticeship opportunities and existing training provision before expanding their construction training offerings.
Infrastructure Projects and Regional Workforce Needs
Infrastructure investment presents another potential source of training demand. Infrastructure Australia identifies a five-year major public infrastructure pipeline valued at $242 billion, including investments in energy transmission and housing.
Depending on regional project requirements, opportunities could involve:
- Construction Site Skills: Training related to safe work practices, materials handling, concreting and site preparation
- Civil Construction: Qualifications and units covering earthworks, plant operations and infrastructure activities, generally within the RII training package
- Trade Upskilling: Targeted training that helps experienced workers develop additional competencies required for specific projects
- Regional Training Pathways: Programs developed around local workforce needs, employer involvement and accessible practical training arrangements
For RTOs already delivering construction qualifications, these developments may justify reviewing existing courses before considering expansion into entirely new training areas.
Emerging Skills Could Influence Future Construction Training Demand
Construction industry needs are also evolving as digital technologies, modern building methods and sustainability considerations influence project delivery.
Infrastructure Australia’s 2025 report identifies workforce upskilling in digital technologies, modern methods of construction and decarbonisation as important areas for future industry development.
For RTOs, potential areas to investigate include:
- Digital construction documentation and interpretation of technical information
- Modern construction methods, including prefabrication and modular building
- Sustainable building practices, materials and resource efficiency
- Updated safety practices associated with new equipment and construction techniques
These developments reinforce the importance of consulting industry when reviewing course content. Training should reflect the skills employers require, with new learning activities and practical instruction introduced where relevant to the training product.
What RTOs Should Check in the CPC Training Package
The CPC training package is central to many building and construction qualifications, but providers need to keep current training products and requirements in view.
Under the Standards for RTOs, quality training must also be engaging, appropriately structured and supported by suitable resources and equipment. Before introducing or revising a construction course, providers should verify:
- Training Product Requirements: Check current units, prerequisites, assessment conditions and relevant licensing requirements.
- Industry Relevance: Consult local employers to identify priority skills, current practices and equipment used in the trade.
- Delivery Capacity: Confirm trainer expertise, suitable facilities, equipment and access to practical training environments.
These considerations help ensure that course decisions account for both workforce demand and the quality of training learners will receive.
Why Quality CPC Training Resources Matter
Growing demand creates opportunities to introduce more learners to the construction industry. Delivering a strong learning experience, however, depends on how effectively trainers can explain technical concepts and support practical skill development.
High-quality CPC training resources should make complex concepts easier to understand through organised learning content, clear instructions and engaging visual elements. Well-designed CPC learning resources can strengthen delivery through:
- Clear Technical Illustrations: Diagrams, examples and visual explanations help learners interpret plans, understand measurements and recognise construction processes.
- Structured Learning Activities: Exercises reinforce concepts before learners apply their knowledge in practical settings.
- Meaningful Assessment Guidance: Clear instructions and assessment benchmarks support consistent competency decisions.
When reviewing CPC RTO resources, consider how easily trainers can navigate the materials and whether learners can connect the information with practical tasks.
Effective CPC RTO training resources can support the learning experience, but they must be complemented by suitable practical training, equipment and assessment arrangements wherever required.
Turning Workforce Demand Into Training Opportunities
Workforce forecasts offer useful direction, but local evidence should determine whether a construction qualification is worth pursuing. Before expanding delivery, RTOs should consider three questions:
- Where is demand strongest? Compare national shortage figures with regional employment trends, project pipelines and employer recruitment needs.
- Which qualifications match that demand? Review existing scope, potential learner pathways and the training products relevant to identified occupations.
- Can your RTO deliver the program effectively? Evaluate trainer expertise, facilities, industry connections and the quality of available learning materials.
A targeted approach helps RTOs identify training opportunities that align with both industry needs and their existing strengths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What careers can the CPC training package prepare learners for?
The CPC training package covers qualifications in carpentry, joinery, plumbing, bricklaying, painting and tiling. Some trades require apprenticeships or additional licensing before learners can work independently.
What is the difference between the CPC and RII training packages?
The CPC training package focuses on building, construction and plumbing trades, while the RII training package covers civil construction, mining and infrastructure operations. RTOs should select qualifications based on the skills and occupations they intend to support.
Is a White Card required for construction work in Australia?
Workers generally need a White Card before undertaking construction work in Australia. This requires completing CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry, subject to state or territory requirements.
Can construction training be delivered online?
Some theoretical components of construction training can be delivered online using suitable CPC learning resources. However, practical training and assessment must meet the equipment, facilities and conditions specified in the training product.
How often should RTOs review their CPC training resources?
RTOs should review their CPC training resources when training requirements or industry practices change. Trainer, learner and employer feedback can also help identify opportunities to improve learning activities and assessment tools.
Preparing for Future Construction Workforce Needs
Australia’s construction workforce shortages could create opportunities across entry-level training, traditional trades and emerging industry skills. For RTOs, the strongest opportunities are likely to be those supported by local demand, relevant qualifications and well-designed training experiences.
Quality construction training starts with resources that trainers are proud to use and learners can engage with. Precision RTO Resources offers professionally designed CPC training resources that make technical concepts easier to understand and bring learning to life. Browse our catalogue today!
