"I wanted to do a job that's going to give me a future."

This was 2021 HIA Stratco WA 1st Year Apprentice of the Year Elizabeth Eaton's response when asked about why she chose to take on a concreting apprenticeship.

Committed to getting the best out of herself and showing other females how rewarding it is to take on a trade, Lizzie speaks candidly about everything from her 4am alarm each morning to exercise, to her transition from the police force to the building industry, and what keeps her motivated each day.

You would be hard pressed to find a builder, trade or manufacturer at the moment in WA who isn't carrying a heavy workload.

In this episode, our Executive Director Cath Hart sits down with HIA WA President Dean Humphrey to discuss the current pressures on the industry, breaks down the misconceptions about the 'winners' during a housing boom, the day-to-day stresses for small businesses not discussed in the office or onsite, aswell as reflecting on how the past 18 months has re-shaped our industry with some positive takeaways. 

We also recap the latest industry news ( including a weather forecast for all the tradies out there who have been packing their wet weather gear each day!).

HIA WA Assistant Director Building and Planning Aaron Sice also gives a holistic overview of what you need to know about the latest NCC 2022 update. 

In this episode, HIA WA Executive Director Cath Hart sits down with WA Minister for Planning, Rita Saffioti.

With plenty of questions around planning, Medium Density Code, social housing stock, this is a chat that addresses many of the issues on the minds of our builders in the current climate here in WA - especially with the State Budget just around the corner.

And if you happened to miss the WA winners from this year's HIA CSR Australian Housing Awards, we've got it covered in our latest industry news. 

For further information about anything you've heard in this episode, please contact HIA WA. 

"You are your business"...

Struggling with the ongoing stress of managing a small business in the wake of a global pandemic? You're not alone.

Many of our members at HIA are small business owners and we know all too well that they have been dealt many challenges in recent times. 

In this episode we speak to Small Business Engagement Manager at Beyond Blue, Mel Novak.

Mel discusses everything from signs to look out for early when you sense either you or someone you know may be struggling, the mental strain that has weighed down many small business owners since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, and what steps you can take to ensure you're not neglecting your mental health. 

If you want to enquire about Beyond Blue's New Access program targeted at small business owners, please click here: 

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess/newaccess-for-small-business-owners

Carpenter Mitch Bell knew there would be challenges while working as a mature age apprentice - but he could always see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Having gained invaluable experience as an HIA apprentice, Mitch is now carving his own path in the building industry.

In this episode we hear more of Mitch's journey, his best advice for those considering take up a trade, and how he came to realise that this was not your standard 9-5 job, but a job that was the perfect fit for him and many others.

So you might be wondering what our industry is doing to attract more apprentices - young, mature age, and everyone else in between?

With trade shortages a key focus now more than ever, it begs the question - how can we expand our workforce both for now and the long term?

We chat to Construction Training Fund CEO Tiffany Allen to hear her views and discuss current initiatives and future plans.

Plus listen for a sneak preview of what will be addressed at the upcoming NCC 2022 Proposed Amendments Seminar happening soon in WA.

Downturns, booms, and working through a global pandemic - Dean Humphrey has seen it all during his time in the building industry, and now it's time for him to take the next step - representing HIA WA as the region's new President.

Dean explains how it all started for him in his career and what brought him back to WA after venturing overseas in pursuit of new opportunities.

Hear his thoughts on the the current conditions in WA, what's different compared to our state's previous boom period, and what are the key outcomes he hopes to achieve during his time as President.

Plus -  Tune in to hear the latest industry news including an important change to HomeBuilder***

***For more information about this, please head to the HIA website.

With a huge spike in building activity on the back of last year's building grants - every builder and consumer wants to know how it will affect them in terms of shipping delays and material shortages...

HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon, speaks to us in this episode to not only explain what's happening - but also why.

Tune in to hear Tim discuss where the industry sits one year on from the beginning of the global pandemic and much more!

In today's episode, we focus on two leaders...

One is the current WA Premier, and the other, our outgoing HIA WA President, Phill Theunissen. 

Listen as Phill reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic has re-shaped the industry, while also gaining a unique perspective into the upcoming WA Election through Lenda Oshalem from Newgate Communications, as she breaks down who is best to lead WA and further strengthen the residential building industry beyond 2021.  

Despite the threat of bushfires becoming more apparent in the warmer months, there's a lot you need to know in order to protect your property all-year round. 

The recent Wooroloo bushfire in Perth caused devastation for many residents, and it's important in future emergencies like the one we've recently seen that you know what you can do to better prepare your property.

In this episode we speak to HIA Assistant Director for Building and Planning, Aaron Sice, to break down the process of returning to a fire-affected property, measures to put in place when designing a new home in bushfire prone areas, rules for workers using power tools during total fire bans, and much more.