Building and Construction

Attention: open in a new window. | Print | E-mail

Commercial and residential buildings are estimated to use up to 45 per cent of Australia’s stationary energy consumption.

The move towards a low carbon economy is placing increasing demands on the building and construction industry to reduce the carbon impact of Australia’s built environment.

Opportunities

The industry is well placed to take advantage of the business opportunities that economic reform provides. The opportunities exist in both designing and constructing new green buildings, and retrofitting existing commercial and residential properties.

Energy and resource efficiency are already important concerns on building sites. The big end of town is already tapping into the opportunities in green value building. A recent report shows green building accounts for 30 per cent of Australia’s new building market. By investing in green know-how and credentials, your business will be better placed for the future.

Contractors are going to require you to have green qualifications.

Skills shortages

The skill shortages of the past six years have been a harsh lesson of how not having the right skills can hold business back. There are reported shortages of tradespeople who can service the green market, for example trained installers of solar systems and water saving devices.

By investing in a green skilled workforce you can fill this gap and diversify your business revenue streams. And, your employees are more likely to stay with you if they are working in a challenging environment where they are learning new skills.

Customer satisfaction

Being green skilled is good for customer relations. Customers like choice. By offering them new services you appear more professional, safer, and can help them to make an informed decision.

It is good for your company’s reputation to be environmentally friendly. Your employees will appreciate working for a responsible company. And you can feel good about what you are doing.

  

Video:

Anthony Stockman from AJS Electrical at the Green Skills NSW Summit:

Industry case studies

Building and construction companies across NSW are already benefiting from
a green skilled workforce. You can read their stories below.

The Velocity Electrical team Electrician

“At the end of the day, training green electricians
is a necessary step forward in meeting the rising
demand for energy efficient products and technology
in both the consumer and commercial markets” says
Michael Brewitt, manager of Velocity Electrical,
a Sydney based electrical contracting company
[Download PDF 252kb]

Plants used as privacy and noise barriersInterior Designer

Investing in an accredited green skilled workforce
was essential to Pike Withers’ future business
prospects. “Everything is changing.
A new benchmark is being established in the industry.
Being green accredited interior designers shows
we are moving with the times.”
[Download PDF 272kb]

Prizewinning Green Plumber of the year

 Plumber

“It was a lucky decision.
I saw water shortages early on in the peace …
back then people weren’t thinking about solar power
or eco toilets. Now it's just a matter of time before
all new houses will have both,” says
Warren Perrett chief executive officer at Aquablock and 2008 GreenPlumber of the Year
[Download PDF 300kb]

Organising species on the M7 project

Landscape Contractors

Tony Bright believes training has improved staff
retention at ESD Landscape Contractors, “in recent
years it has helped to limit staff turnover – they feel
appreciated and valued because we invest in them.”
[Download PDF 382kb]

 

Soda blasting - a green alternative to sand blasting

Painter

Peter Sutcliffe, Managing Director of painting company HMP, says “Sustainable operations have a positive impact on the environment and will help us stay competitive. The implementation has cost us money but we see the long-term benefits of greener business practices,” he says. [Download PDF 252kb]

 

Environmental meeting at Steele Associates

Builder and Architect

“We have introduced Wednesday afternoon as a training day,” says Oliver Steele of building and design company Steele Associates. “It’s a good time for eco-friendly product representatives to educate our staff on their products. We look at environmental issues such as erosion control, housing insulation and draft control. We also discuss regulatory issues, like BASIX compliance.” [Download PDF 260kb]

Phi Surveyors

Surveyor

Gary Polkinghorne believes receiving green training through the Sustainability Advantage program helped the company’s environmental vision. “We now have a better awareness of sustainable practices . . . we have improved our productivity through better business planning and staff engagement, reduced costs through optimising resources and enhanced our reputation." [Download PDF 240kb]

 

Phi Surveyors

Bathroom Manufacturer

Marquis Bathroom Products' operations co-ordinator Phillip Gray stumbled upon the advantages of sustainable production after completing a Cleaner Production course in 2003. “We’ve created more efficiency in our product manufacturing and it’s been relatively easy. Knowing where to start and how to identify areas that could be improved was a key step in improving our business. Getting on board through training courses made all the difference.”  [Download PDF 240kb]


More information for the building and construction indsutry

 

Industry based training

Housing Industry Association’s GreenSmart training and accreditation program.

Green Business Council of Australia’s Green Star Accredited Professional course.

GreenPlumbers training and licensing.

EnviroPlumber an initiative of the Master Plumbers Association of NSW.

EcoSmart Electricians

 Back to top