Construction Workforce Summit

Australia’s construction sector is at a turning point. A shrinking talent pool, rising project demands, and cultural shifts are reshaping the industry’s workforce. This special address will take a high-level view of the challenges and opportunities ahead, exploring how the sector can adapt to new workforce realities.

Nicholas Proud, Chief Executive Officer National, Civil Contractors Federation Australia (CCF)

Maximising Workforce Productivity: Skills, leadership, and industry transformation

A focused discussion on the workforce challenges impacting construction productivity. Drawing from his expertise in research, workforce planning, and industry policy, Rob Sobyra will explore how evolving skill demands, leadership development, and industry transformation are reshaping workforce efficiency. This address will highlight strategies to enhance productivity through industry-led training, stronger education-employer collaboration, and policy-driven workforce resilience.

Robert Sobyra, Executive Director ‑ Research & Planning, BuildSkills Australia

As Australia faces unprecedented infrastructure demands, the intersection of workforce capability, policy, and investment has never been more critical. This keynote will explore the constraints the market is facing in delivering on the demands of the nation’s five-year major infrastructure pipeline, and the advice Infrastructure Australia is providing governments to overcome them. It will also look at possible ways governments can help realise opportunities to drive better outcomes in the sector.

Sophie Fox, Director, Industry Policy, Infrastructure Australia

As construction companies face mounting labour shortages, rising costs, and shifting workforce expectations, increasing productivity is no longer just about efficiency—it’s about sustainability. Long hours, outdated work structures, and high-pressure environments are driving workers out of the industry, particularly younger generations who prioritize work-life balance. To secure a future-ready workforce, industry leaders must rethink traditional practices, embrace new strategies, and foster a culture that attracts and retains talent.

• Work Hours & Burnout: Are long shifts and six-day workweeks making the industry less attractive?
• Retention Through Better Conditions: How reducing overtime and improving workplace culture can actually boost efficiency
• Attracting the Next Generation: What Gen Z expects from construction careers and how the industry must evolve
• Technology & Innovation: The role of automation, digital tools, and smarter work structures in improving productivity
• Leadership in a changing industry: Steps companies can take now to build a resilient, motivated workforce

Panellists include:

Mary Lemonis, Chief People Officer, Built

Mitchell Stubbs, Head of People and Culture, Growthbuilt

Anna Pearson, General Manager Human Resources, McConnell Dowell

Moderated by:

Nicholas Proud, Chief Executive Officer National, Civil Contractors Federation Australia (CCF)

In this session we bring together delegates for a series of 40 minute facilitated round table discussions with leading industry experts. Join the table that interests you most to discuss hot topics and share ideas for tackling some of the biggest challenges on the road to success in Construction Workforce.

Roundtable 1:            Indigenous recruitment & career progression: bridging the gap

Facilitated by: Dart Johnson, Group Indigenous Program Manager, BMD Group

Roundtable 2:            Gen Z and the future of construction: what needs to change?

Facilitated by: Lauren Fahey, Executive Director, NexGen

Roundtable 4:           Are you leading or lagging? The frontline realities of reactive, proactive and responsive behaviours in construction

Facilitated by: Sam Marciano, Segment Director – Construction, Ideagen

Roundtable 5:          Maximising productivity without burnout: smarter work practices for a sustainable workforce

Facilitated by: Matt Ahlberg, Leadership and Development Manager, FKG Group

Roundtable 6:        Harnessing EAP & psychosocial hazard data to better inform your wellbeing strategy

Facilitated by: Gerard Beven, Director, Wellbeing Solutions, Acacia Connection

Roundtable 7:        Global talent, local impact: Unlocking the opportunities and challenges of skilled migration

Facilitated by: Alana Hopkins, Workforce Solutions Manager, Workforce Abundance

Dart Johnson, Group Indigenous Program Manager, BMD Group

Lauren Fahey, Executive Director, NexGen

Sam Marciano, Segment Director – Construction, Ideagen

Matt Ahlberg, Leadership & Development Manager, The FKG Group

Matt Walter, Director, Wellbeing Solutions, Acacia Connection

Alana Hopkins, Workforce Solutions Manager, Workforce Abundance

The construction industry is evolving, moving away from traditional, rigid workplace cultures toward a more inclusive, innovative, and people-focused environment. This keynote will explore how businesses can drive cultural transformation, adapt to changing workforce expectations, and attract the next generation of talent.

• Shifting from command-and-control leadership to a collaborative workplace culture
• Embracing diversity, inclusion, and flexibility to future-proof the industry
• The impact of digital transformation on workplace dynamics and jobsite efficiency
• Lessons from industries that have successfully modernised their workforce culture

Dominique Gill, Founder & Managing Director, Urban Core

Lauren Fahey, Executive Director, NexGen

This opening address will set the stage for the conversation on culture and diversity, highlighting key behavioral shifts, generational expectations, and the importance of inclusive practices in attracting and retaining future talent in the construction industry.

Lauren Fahey, Executive Director, NexGen

Following Lauren’s scene-setting remarks, this panel will explore the key challenges and opportunities in transforming workplace culture. From fostering inclusive environments for women and Indigenous workers to addressing unconscious bias and generational shifts, this discussion will focus on leadership, policy, and practical strategies for lasting change.

• Evolving Workplace Culture: Promoting inclusivity and a respectful work environment
• Women in Construction: Removing career barriers and fostering industry-wide support
• Indigenous Inclusion: Addressing cultural considerations and employment challenges
• Generational Shifts: Attracting the Next Generation and what does Gen Z expect from construction careers and how the industry must evolve
• Learning & Development: Retaining and developing diverse candidates with mentoring programs, coaching, leadership development and executive sponsorship.

Panellists include:

Jody Kershaw, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Webuild Group

Dart Johnson, Group Indigenous Program Manager, BMD Group

Lucinda Shilcock, Manager for the Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, TAFE NSW Women in Trades

Naomi Bruton, Organisational Development Specialist, Inland Rail

Moderated by:

Lauren Fahey, Executive Director, NexGen

The NSW Government’s Women in Construction Program is a $20.2 million initiative aimed at increasing female participation in trade and other non-traditional roles within the construction sector. This session will explore the program’s current initiatives to attract and retain women in construction, the cultural shifts needed to address persistent gender imbalance, and practical strategies that can be applied across all workplaces and worksites to build a more inclusive and diverse industry.

Margot Brassil, Director, Construction Leadership Group, Infrastructure NSW

With ongoing labour shortages and shifting workforce expectations, construction companies must rethink how they attract, train, and retain talent to boost productivity and long-term industry resilience. From apprenticeships to leadership development and workplace culture, new strategies are reshaping the sector. But which initiatives are truly driving change, and where is improvement still needed?

• Recruitment Challenges: Attracting the next generation of workers through targeted outreach and industry promotion
• Training & Upskilling: Strengthening apprenticeship models and training programs to meet industry demands while enhancing workforce efficiency
• Sustainability Skills: With rising demand for sustainability expertise in construction, how can we upskill the existing workforce? Which training initiatives are most effective in bridging the gap and improving project performance?
• Retention Strategies: Enhancing job satisfaction, career growth opportunities, and workplace culture to improve employee retention and productivity
• Leadership & Mentorship: Technical expertise alone doesn’t make a great leader – mentorship and leadership programs are essential for developing effective, people-focused leaders who drive team performance

Panellists include:

James Andrews, Head of Human Resources & Industrial Relations, ACCIONA

Margot Brassil, Director, Construction Leadership Group, Infrastructure NSW

Rodney Dunn, Sales Representative, Tenstar Simulation

Jennifer Perkins, Director Learning & Teaching Electrical Trades, TAFE NSW

Moderated by:

Angela Hucker, Chief Empowerment Officer, EPIC

The construction industry is rapidly evolving, with technology playing a key role in improving workforce efficiency, safety, and project delivery. From AI-powered recruitment to real-time workforce monitoring and digital training solutions, innovative technologies are reshaping how construction teams operate. In this session, you’ll hear three 5-minute mini presentations from cutting-edge companies that are revolutionizing workforce management. The speakers will then join a 20-minute tech innovation panel discussion to explore the impact of these solutions on the industry.

Talk 1: Innovative ways to succeed in offshoring: Closing the culture gap for high-performance multicultural teams

Led by: Tiffany English, Chief Executive Officer, Access Offshoring

Talk 2: Real-Time Workforce Monitoring & Site Safety Enhancements

Led by: Prof. Trevor Kilpatrick, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer, MX3 Diagnostics

Talk 3: TimeFiler: The T&A app trusted for Tier 1 efficiency and Tier 2 growth

Led by: Ian Johnson, Director & Co-Founder, TimeFiler

Talk 4: Redefining workforce management in the AI Era

Led by: Chris Smith, Head of Innovation, ReadyTech

Moderated by: Shivendra Kumar, Managing Director and Principal Consultant, Shivendra & Co

Tiffany English, Chief Executive Officer, Access Offshoring

Prof. Trevor Kilpatrick, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer, MX3 Diagnostics

Ian Johnson, Director & Co-Founder, TimeFiler

Chris Smith, Head of Innovation, ReadyTech

Moderated by:

Shivendra Kumar, Managing Director and Principal Consultant, Shivendra & Co

The construction industry faces high rates of mental health issues, with long hours, job insecurity, and high-pressure environments leading to stress, burnout, and alarming suicide rates. While awareness is growing, real change requires industry-wide commitment. This fireside chat will explore strategies to break the stigma, implement effective support programs, and foster a culture where mental health is prioritized as much as physical safety. Our speakers will share what’s working, what needs to change, and how leaders can drive meaningful progress.

• The current state of mental health in construction and why it’s a critical issue
• How long hours, job insecurity, and workplace culture contribute to stress and burnout
• The role of leadership in fostering a mentally healthy work environment
• Practical steps companies can take to support worker well-being and resilience

Rae Bonney, Workplace Mental Health, Safety & Wellbeing Specialist, Rae Bonney

Mike Hagan, WHS Expert, Mike Hagan Consulting Services

As construction projects grow in complexity and pressure, new safety challenges emerge. Fatigue, high-pressure environments, and physical strain drive injury rates, while evolving regulations and workforce expectations require a fresh approach to worker well-being. Strengthening subcontractor safety culture and adopting transparent safety reporting are key to raising industry standards. This panel will explore strategies to improve workplace safety, reduce injuries, and create healthier work environments. Industry leaders will discuss fatigue management, site safety innovations, subcontractor accountability, and leadership’s role in fostering transparency and care.

• Reducing Workplace Injuries: Practical steps to improve on-site safety and compliance
• Fatigue & High-Pressure Environments: Managing workloads to prevent burnout and accidents
• Evolving Safety Standards: How policies, regulations, and transparent reporting are shaping site safety
• Subcontractor Safety Culture: Encouraging accountability and alignment with company-wide safety initiatives
• Workforce Retention & Well-being: Why a safer, healthier workplace keeps workers in the industry

Panellists include:

Dan Humphries, Regional HSE Manager, Queensland, Multiplex

Kurt Warren, Head of HSEQ & Sustainability, Hansen Yuncken

Melissa Pollock, Head of HSEQ, Evoro

Sam Marciano, Segment Director – Construction, Ideagen

Moderated by:

Helen Lingard, Executive Director, SHINe – Safety and Health Innovation Network, RMIT University