Skilled workers to benefit from expanded construction in 2026 – As demand for turnkey homes rises

The expansion of Government-led housing construction is set to create more training and employment opportunities for skilled workers, as demand continues to rise for carpenters, masons, plumbers, and electricians, according to Housing Minister Collin Croal.
The Minister has recently highlighted a growing demand from citizens seeking turnkey houses, rather than just land allocations. He emphasised that the Government is revising its work programme to meet these needs, with construction in identified areas set to begin in 2026 and engagement with responses from the Expression of Interest (EOI) process already planned.
Explaining his point that the expansion of Government-led housing construction is set to create more training, he mentioned that over 268 responses were received from the EOI for house construction.
The Minister noted that the construction sector has already absorbed a large portion of the workforce, and there remained strong demand for skilled tradespeople. He added that skilled carpenters, masons, plumbers, and electricians have ample opportunities at ongoing construction sites.
He stated, The construction sector has taken up a large volume of the workforce, and there is still demand for skilled workers. I have yet to find a skilled carpenter, mason, plumber, or electrician unable to find work at our construction sites. This also presents an opportunity for more training to prepare workers for the increasing demand as housing construction expands.
To underscore the scale of the housing initiative, approximately 75 homes are set to be handed over in early 2026 under the Yarrowkabra Homestead Programme along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. A report from the Department of Public Information (DPI) noted that more than 250 homes are currently under construction in the initial phase of the project. Croal added during a Facebook broadcast, Right now 25 [houses] are already completed, and another 50 will be handed over within two weeks.