As someone who has been deeply involved in South Australia’s construction industry, I can’t help but feel a growing concern for what lies ahead in 2025.
With major projects like the Torrens to Darlington, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, key urban redevelopments, as well the ongoing defence ramp up, the pressure on our workforce is mounting. The talent shortage, a persistent issue that hasn’t been adequately addressed, is now forcing teams to work longer hours, juggle more responsibilities, and stretch themselves thin.
The question isn’t if this will lead to burnout—it’s when, and how severely it will impact us.
I’m already hearing from site managers, and project leaders about the cracks beginning to show. The endless deadlines, the lack of support, and the constant demand to do more with less are wearing people down. What worries me most is that burnout doesn’t just affect the individuals—it cascades through entire teams and projects. Mistakes increase, morale plummets, and we lose some of our best and brightest to exhaustion or even to other industries. If we don’t act now, we risk not only the health of our people but the reputation of an industry that has prided itself on delivering excellence.
It’s time for us, as industry leaders and influencers, to take this seriously. We need to do more than just talk about the talent shortage—we need real, actionable solutions. That means creating better pathways for training and up-skilling, investing in mental health support, and ensuring that our people have the resources they need to thrive.
Our people are the backbone of this industry, and if we want to build a future we’re proud of, we need to start by protecting and supporting them today.