I’ll start with this: the apprentices we’ve got on our team are solid.
They show up, they care, they ask questions, and they get stuck into the job, even when it’s hard. Honestly, that’s all I’m asking for.
I write about this because I genuinely care about the industry. If even one person reads this and either decides to give the trade a proper go, or sticks it out instead of quitting halfway through their apprenticeship, then it’s worth it.
Let’s be real: AI is coming for a lot of jobs. But construction? It’s still hands-on, still physical. It’ll be one of the last industries touched. And there’s good money to be made in that window, if you’re willing to do the work.
But zoom out and there’s a bigger problem: there just aren’t enough young people coming through who actually want to build a career in the trades. Plenty want the perks – good pay, independence, working outdoors – but very few are willing to walk the path that leads there.
And while we’re on the topic of workforce shortages, here’s something that rarely gets mentioned: Australia’s birth rate is sitting around 1.6, when we need 2.1 just to maintain population levels. That means every two people are only producing about 1.5 kids. Over time, that compounds into a serious labour shortage. It’s a broader issue, sure, (maybe a conversation for another time), but it’s part of the same problem.
Some people reckon the answer is to pay apprentices more.
I don’t buy it.
Throwing more money at the problem won’t fix a mindset issue. It won’t teach pride in your work, initiative, or the value of turning up with the right attitude. Those things have to come from within. Money is a byproduct, not a motivator that builds character.
Take the $10k government incentive, for example. It’s meant to help apprentices, but most of it gets pumped straight back into the economy, spent on tools, beers, cars etc. That spending drives demand, which pushes up prices. That’s inflation. So while it seems like we’re helping, we’re also fuelling the very problem we’re trying to solve. It’s treating the symptom, not the cause.
Here’s what every apprentice, and anyone early in their career, needs to understand:
You’re supposed to feel behind.
You’re meant to be inexperienced and unsure. The guys you look up to – the ones running jobs, making money, earning respect – they’ve stacked reps. Your job now? Stack your own.
The advantage you’ve got when you’re starting out is time and energy. You’re not tied down with a mortgage, kids, or business stress. You’ve got the freedom to go all in, to put in big days, watch and learn, and push yourself without the weight others carry. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
That window won’t last forever. Waste it by complaining, cutting corners, or chasing shortcuts, and you’ll look back five years from now wondering why nothing’s changed. But if you lean in, if you treat every task like it matters, from sweeping floors to fixing framing mistakes, you’ll build real options. Real skills. Real respect. A future you’ve earned.
And along the way, you might gain more than just skills. I’ve made lifelong friends in this trade, not because we planned it, but because we all decided, without saying it, that we wanted to grow together. You don’t get that from chasing dopamine hits or fast cash. That’s the beauty of this industry. It’s hard, it’s hot, and the hours can be long – but when you’re doing it with good people, it’s fucking awesome.
Whatever trade you choose, do it well. Don’t half-ass it. Be the best at it. And stop downplaying it – you’re not “just” a plumber or “just” a chippy. You build the backbone of the country. Own it.
This industry will give you a lot – but only if you earn it. Show up. Stay humble. Work hard. That’s it. That’s the secret.
You’re not expected to be perfect. But you are expected to try.
The ones who succeed aren’t the ones who got lucky. They’re the ones who showed up and did the work, even when no one was watching.
