Master Builders Northern Territory has welcomed the new Skills NT Plan 2026–2029 and its focus on stronger partnerships between schools, training providers and industry.

MBNT CEO Sallyann Innes said industry was ready to lean in and help build the workforce the Territory needs.

“The skills challenge will not be solved by government or training providers alone. Industry has to be part of the solution,” Ms Innes said.

“We need apprentices, qualified tradespeople and clear pathways for young Territorians to enter construction, build careers and stay in the Territory.”

The plan includes a focus on stronger career pathways, apprenticeships and traineeships, and greater collaboration with industry. Skills NT also identifies partnerships with industry, schools and training organisations as central to meeting workforce demand.

Ms Innes said construction had to be recognised as an enabling industry for the Territory economy.

“Without construction, you cannot grow Defence, develop our resources and energy industries or grow tourism without hotels, roads and airports, and you cannot expand health and education without the facilities to deliver those services without construction.

“You cannot unlock land, build new communities or grow our population without infrastructure and homes.

“Construction doesn’t simply participate in the Territory economy –  it drives it.”

Ms Innes said recent careers events had also demonstrated the value of getting industry directly in front of students.

“The feedback has been clear,  students love hearing from apprentices, tradies, builders and people actually working on the tools.

“They want to know what the job is really like, how people got into the industry and where a trade can take them.

“If we want more young Territorians to pick up the tools, we need the people already holding them to help tell the story.”

Ms Innes said MBNT would encourage its members to get involved through school engagement, careers events, work experience and apprenticeships.

“The Government has listened to industry and acted on that feedback. We applaud this announcement, and now industry needs to lean in and help make it work.”

ENDS