Careers News
St Patrick's College
Skilled Trades: Strong Career Opportunities in a Changing World
With Australia continuing to experience shortages of qualified tradespeople, students are encouraged to consider the many career opportunities available through apprenticeships and vocational education and training (VET).
According to Jobs and Skills Australia's 2026 Occupation Shortage List, almost half of technician and trade occupations remain in national shortage, despite an overall easing of skills shortages across the economy. Demand for skilled workers continues in areas such as construction, electrical trades, plumbing, engineering and automotive trades, with NSW requiring skilled tradespeople to support housing construction, major infrastructure projects and the transition to renewable energy.
Trades and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
As artificial intelligence continues to transform the workforce, skilled trades offer an important advantage. Many trade occupations involve hands-on technical skills, practical problem-solving, physical work and adapting to different environments — tasks that are difficult for AI to fully replicate. While AI and new technologies will increasingly assist tradespeople with design, diagnostics, planning and efficiency, the practical expertise of qualified tradespeople will remain essential.
Jobs and Skills Australia's research finds that generative AI is generally more likely to assist workers than replace them outright. For electricians, plumbers and carpenters, AI may help with planning, documentation and diagnostics, but physical installation, repairs, safety decisions and on-site problem-solving still require skilled workers. This does not make trades immune to automation, but it gives students a useful reason to consider them.
Why consider a trade?
A trade apprenticeship provides students with the opportunity to earn while they learn, develop practical skills, gain nationally recognised qualifications and enter the workforce without necessarily requiring a university degree. Qualified tradespeople can also progress into supervisory and management positions, specialise in emerging technologies or establish their own businesses.
For students interested in practical, hands-on work, problem-solving and developing valuable technical skills, a trade can provide a rewarding career pathway with strong long-term opportunities.
Further information:
Joanne Cupac
Head of Careers
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