The SA Government has announced new investment in trades training as part of its plan to increase housing supply, with a focus on addressing workforce shortages in plumbing.
The latest move centres on a $700,000 project to build two additional training sandpits at the TAPS site in Beverley. The upgrade is expected to support an extra 240 plumbing apprentices, easing current capacity limits in training facilities.
The funding forms part of a broader $29 million Housing Skills package, aimed at strengthening the pipeline of skilled workers needed for residential construction and major infrastructure projects. The government says existing metropolitan TAFE campuses have reached their limits in accommodating further growth in traditional trades, following a rise in enrolments over recent years.
Demand for plumbing training has been rising. Enrolments in the Certificate III in Plumbing have increased by 20 per cent over the past year, with 435 commencements recorded in the 12 months to June 2025, up from 360 the year before. Current figures mark the highest level of enrolment in four years, reflecting stronger interest in trade pathways.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said expanding the skilled workforce is central to meeting housing targets, pointing to a wider set of policies aimed at increasing participation in the construction sector. These include plans for more than 1,000 entry pathways through apprenticeships, university scholarships and industry partnerships.
Education Minister Blair Boyer said improving access to training facilities remains a priority, noting that travel requirements can limit participation for some students. The new infrastructure at Beverley is intended to provide more local opportunities and reduce those barriers.
The government has also outlined additional commitments ahead of the next election, including three new technical colleges in Gawler, Marden and Murray Bridge, which would bring the state total to eight. A new TAFE trades workshop is planned for Mount Barker, with capacity to train up to 1,200 apprentices across construction disciplines such as plumbing, electrical and carpentry.
Further initiatives include more than 1,000 training and upskilling opportunities linked to the AUKUS programme, alongside workforce development tied to clean energy and public infrastructure projects such as schools and hospitals.
The expansion of training capacity comes as governments across Australia face pressure to increase housing supply while managing skills shortages in the construction sector. The additional facilities at Beverley are expected to provide short-term relief for apprenticeship bottlenecks, though the longer-term impact will depend on how quickly new entrants can move through training and into the workforce.
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