South Australia is outperforming the rest of the nation for jobs growth in the critical building and construction sector, with more than 2,700 local jobs created since July.
Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) highlights that building and construction jobs – from plumbers, painters and engineers to carpenters, bricklayers and administrative roles – have grown 4 per cent in SA this financial year – the only state or territory to record jobs growth in the sector.
This brings the number of South Australians now directly employed in the industry to 70,615 – with prominent builders currently hiring more staff to cope with the influx of demand prompted by the $25,000 HomeBuilder Grant program.
Nationally, total jobs were down 3.5 per cent, while New South Wales (down 6.1 per cent), Victoria (down 5.2 per cent) and the ACT (down 4.4 per cent) all recorded declines in their sector workforces.
Treasurer Rob Lucas welcomed the strong SA jobs growth as a further sign of burgeoning consumer confidence and local optimism within the sector as the state recovers from the significant economic challenge of COVID-19.
“The construction industry is a significant local employer and we’re delighted to see hundreds more South Australians being employed across the sector in recent weeks,” Mr Lucas said.
“This is just the start of what will be a hi-vis led recovery, with the Marshall Liberal Government investing at least another $2 billion in public infrastructure spending in the upcoming State Budget – on top of our existing record $12.9 billion commitment.”
“Part of this includes a new tradies jobs package – which will create and support thousands of jobs over the next two years – with upgrades to schools, hospitals, roads and housing right across the state,” the Treasurer detailed.
“That’s an ongoing and steady pipeline of work for thousands of tradies from carpenters, plumbers, tilers and bricklayers to electricians, engineers and other suppliers.”
*ABS jobs data up to week ending 3 October.