(From BusinessSpectator.com) The construction industry needs to take urgent

measures to address a looming skills shortage, warns the Housing

Industry Association (HIA).

According to figures released by the HIA, the

industry faces a shortfall of 59,400 construction workers this

financial year, with the gap set to jump almost 65,000 by 2013.

HIA managing director Shane Goodwin said that

the labour shortage was exacerbated by a lack of apprentices and poor

level of industry training.

With apprentice drop-out rates increasing at

an alarming rate, Mr Goodwin said that more investment was needed to

arrest the decline.

"Apprentice commencement and completion rates

have consistently declined over the past decade. Almost 60 per cent of

apprentices in key trades cancel within the first two years," Mr

Goodwin said.

"Furthermore, 40 per cent of tradespeople

have no formal qualifications and acquire their skills on-the-job

because the formal training system doesn't meet industry needs."

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