From Fencing to Foundations: A Young Carpenter Tackles Australia’s Housing Crisis
Growing up in a household with four sisters, Caitlyn Goodman never envisioned a future wielding a hammer and saw. The idea of becoming a female tradesperson simply wasn’t on her radar. Yet, the seeds of her future career were sown early. Her father, a fencer, introduced her to power tools as a child, sparking an early fascination.
“I was always very drawn to it,” Goodman, now 22, recalls. This early exposure proved prescient. During her final year of high school, Goodman found herself working in the timber yard at Bunnings. “I was becoming very familiar with all the types of timbers and power tools. I was learning a lot,” she said.
After completing her Higher School Certificate, Goodman briefly explored nursing, even working as a ward clerk. However, her heart wasn’t in it. The call of the tools was too strong. “One day, I just said, ‘Screw it. I’m just going do it, why not? Why can’t I do it?'” she declared, making the decisive shift towards carpentry.
With the Australian construction industry grappling with a significant worker shortage, particularly in carpentry, securing an apprenticeship proved surprisingly straightforward. Goodman’s father even reached out to builders he knew, facilitating connections. “We got in contact with Chris, who is my boss now. He had an interview with me. He was really happy, and said, ‘When can you start?'” Goodman explained.
Now in her third year as an apprentice, Goodman is actively involved in building residential homes across the Greater Melbourne area. Her journey highlights a critical need identified by the Housing Industry Association (HIA). Australia requires a substantial influx of skilled workers like Goodman to stand any chance of meeting its ambitious housing construction targets.
Carpenters: The Cornerstone of a Housing Solution
Carpenters sit at the very top of the “short supply” list, precisely the trade Goodman is excelling in. According to the HIA, the targets set out in the National Housing Accord – a commitment to build 1.2 million homes over five years – are mathematically unattainable without a significant increase in skilled labour.
Mike Hermon, HIA Executive Director for Future Workforce, paints a stark picture: “Workforce shortages remain one of the biggest constraints on increasing home building activity, with the nation needing an estimated 83,000 additional skilled workers across our key trades.” He elaborates, “Shortages across key residential construction trades, particularly carpentry, are limiting building capacity across the states. Builders across the country are telling us the same thing – demand for housing is there, but access to skilled labour is holding projects back.”
Recent HIA data underscores this sobering reality. A survey of small business members revealed that a staggering 67 percent are struggling with staff recruitment and retention. “If we do not train more apprentices now, the homes Australia needs simply will not be built,” Hermon emphasised. “Every new home starts with an apprentice on site.”
The Financial Hurdles for Aspiring Tradies
For Goodman, the reasons behind the widespread shortage are clear, and they often come down to financial viability. While she finds immense satisfaction in “building someone’s dream,” the financial realities for young apprentices can be a significant deterrent.
“People start their apprenticeship, and then it’s just not everything they want – like the pay,” Goodman stated. “They don’t want to stick around and bend over backwards for $16 an hour. Carpenters are one of the lowest-paying trades.”
While government initiatives like a $10,000 apprentice grant exist, Goodman points out that the conditions often exclude those who need the support the most. “You have to be living out of home [to get the full grant], but I can’t afford to move out of home,” she explained. “Rather than giving out grants and all that, I think, honestly, just increase the pay.”
Breaking Down Barriers: A Supportive Start
Stepping onto a construction site for the first time as an apprentice was undoubtedly a daunting experience for Goodman. “I was really scared, honestly, starting out,” she admitted. “I’d heard quite a few stories of apprentices not being treated the greatest on site, which is really disheartening to even hear now.”
Fortunately, these initial fears were quickly put to rest. Goodman found herself part of a small, supportive team, even working alongside another female carpenter. “She’s made me feel a lot more comfortable working in the industry,” Goodman said. “I don’t get treated differently, and I don’t get treated with disrespect.”
Goodman has become a passionate advocate for the trades, particularly encouraging other women to consider a career in the sector. “Every single time I tell people what I do, they go, ‘Oh, really?’ or they think I’m lying,” she shared. Her message to other young women is unequivocal: “I tell other girls – why not? Just do it.”
Her own aspirations are clear: “I’m going to graduate and be able to actually save up to buy a house, rather than paying off student debt.” This practical financial outcome, coupled with the rewarding nature of the work, makes a compelling case for a career in the trades.
Tradie Salaries by Occupation (Indicative)
- Electrician: $95,000 – $115,000
- Plumber: $85,000 – $100,000
- Carpenter: $80,000 – $95,000
- Painter: $80,000 – $90,000
- Bricklayer: $75,000 – $85,000
(Source: Seek.com.au)
