Building the Territory starts with skills and trades

The Territory’s economic future depends on the people with the skills to build it. Today on National Tradies Day, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) new report, Australia’s Future is Built by Tradies, makes a timely case for greater recognition of trade careers.

HIA calls for stronger pathways from school into trades, better apprenticeship completion rates, support for employers who train, and investment in a larger skilled workforce. It also highlights the opportunities a trade qualification offers: earning while learning, developing valuable skills and progressing into business ownership.

That message is particularly relevant as the Northern Territory Government prepares to unveil its 2026–29 Skills NT Plan. Its announced training funding priorities include energy, defence, agriculture, tourism, hospitality, gas and mining.

DMBG welcomes the focus on aligning training with the Territory’s economic opportunities.

For us, the connection is clear: these industries depend on construction and other trades to build and maintain their facilities, alongside the homes and community infrastructure their workers need.

Delivering on that opportunity means giving young Territorians practical exposure to trade careers, helping apprentices complete their qualifications, and supporting local businesses to employ and train them.

Success should be measured in more qualified people building lasting careers here, and more Territory businesses with the capacity to deliver.

On National Tradies Day, we recognise the tradespeople building the Territory today, and the employers and trainers preparing the next generation.