Australia is currently experiencing a shortage of construction workers. At the same time, many white-collar roles are being reshaped by technology. As a result,  young people are increasingly being encouraged to consider  careers in the trades.

For many years, university was seen as the traditional pathway for school leavers. However, changing labour market conditions and the growing demand for skilled tradespeople are prompting many to reconsider this approach.

So, why are young people being encouraged to consider careers in the trades?

Rethinking traditional career pathways

Randstad CEO Sander van ‘t Noordende said that traditionally young people have been encouraged to go to university. However, pursuing a career in the trades may be the better option.

“People need to reflect on taking a student loan, going to college and being trained or educated for a profession that is rapidly changing, whether that’s still the right path,” he told Fortune.

“We all grew up with our parents saying, ‘go do something in college or university and then do something in an office’ – that path that used to work for a long time is starting to break.

“Jobs will change – and are changing – but new jobs will also emerge.

“There is a massive demand in skilled trades, mechanical engineers, machine operators, maintenance engineers, forklift drivers and truck drivers – you name it.”

Australia is currently working on a pipeline of major infrastructure projects. With the Brisbane Olympics scheduled for 2032, this is only expected to accelerate.

In addition, the country is grappling with a severe shortage of affordable housing and is struggling to meet national housing targets set by the government.

At the same time, many existing construction workers are rapidly approaching retirement age. This means demand for skilled construction workers is expected to intensify in the coming years.

Many areas of the construction industry are experiencing worker shortages. As a result, wages for skilled tradespeople have increased in recent years. However, the growing demand for trades workers is not the only reason young people are being encouraged to pursue a career in the trades.

The impact of artificial intelligence

One of the reasons for this shift is the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI has already replaced many traditional entry-level white-collar roles. 93% of employers say they plan to reduce the number of entry-level positions they hire over the next one to five years.

However, trade careers are proving far more resilient. Many construction roles require physical presence and hands-on work, making them difficult to fully automate. As experts point out, in many trades “you are working with your hands… it is not something that a computer can easily replace”. This means that construction roles often offer stronger long-term stability than many office-based jobs.

With strong demand for housing and infrastructure projects across Australia, the need for skilled construction workers is expected to remain high for years to come. As a result, many young people are beginning to reconsider traditional career pathways and explore opportunities in the trades.

Construction careers can offer competitive wages, practical hands-on work and strong long-term job security in an industry that continues to grow. For those looking for a stable and rewarding career path, now could be the ideal time to consider entering the construction sector.

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Article References

Dickler, J (8 March 2026) ‘In a jobs apocalypse, look to ‘AI-proof’ skilled trades, career experts say’, CNBC, accessed 16 March 2026.

Wilcox, H (7 January 2026) ‘Forget university and learn a trade, Randstad CEO urges the next generation’, news.com.au, accessed 16 March 2026.