The Riverina is in the midst of a trade shortage, with one Wagga tradie saying youngsters want too much, too soon.
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And the issue will only get worse, according to federal government predictions.
In its Industry Employment Projections report, the government predicts the construction industry to grow by 8.3 per cent over the next five years.
Wagga is already experiencing this growth in its north, with new suburbs sprouting up rapidly.
Wagga plumber Ronnie Scobell has struggled to find apprentices able to do the job well.
He puts the problem partly down to a generational issue, with younger people not having as much incentive to work for their pay cheque.
“They want too much, too early,” Mr Scobell said.
“GenY want to already own their home and have a ski boat and a HSV.”
Mr Scobell said a teenager could earn more money packing shelves at a supermarket than start their apprenticeship.
Wagga TAFE plumbing teacher Graham Horton agreed with Mr Scobell that younger generations were living in the moment rather than investing in their future.
“(Younger people) want everything now,” Mr Horton said.
“The job hasn’t changed that much, but kids’ attitudes have.
Both Mr Horton and Mr Scobell said there were good young workers out there, but they could be hard to find.
Mr Horton pointed out that higher pay rates meant employers expected more from their apprentices.
“They can’t just sweep the floor,” he said.
“(Employers) will be losing money (if they aren’t working at a higher capacity).”
Mr Horton said younger generations were not getting the hands-on experience that older Australians were brought up with.
“We live in a throw-away society,” he said.
“What did you do growing up when your bike broke? You’d get out there with your dad and you fixed it.
“Now they just chuck it out and buy a new one.
“They don’t learn the fundamentals.”
Mr Scobell said he was now looking for workers over the age of 30.
“They seem to have a better work ethic,” he said.
“I would put one on tomorrow.”
“(Older tradies would) do anything for a job, we’d beg for extra work (on the weekends).
“I ask them now, and they don’t want to do it.”
Mr Scobell said he put an advertisement online but only received interest from overseas.
“It’s frustrating because I know there’s people out there keen to work.”