Welcome back to another episode of The Mindful Builder podcast. We’re back with the second half of our conversation with the incredible Airboss Dan. If you haven’t listened to it yet, make sure you go back to episode 19 where we discuss Dan’s path to becoming a carpenter in Germany and how it differs from what we see in Australia.

We restart the conversation talking about the unique challenges of building in Australia. Dan points out that many of the challenges are caused by Australia’s diverse climate. In Germany, the climate is pretty much the same across the whole country, but in Australia, it varies widely from city to city, especially the humidity levels. Because it can’t be standardised, many builders aren’t taught how to account for this, leading to long-term problems like condensation and mould.

Our conversation then pivots to the need for better training in Australia. Dan shares that building physics, which is an important part of his apprenticeship in Germany, isn’t widely taught or well understood in Australia. It’s a gap that needs to be bridged urgently, and the first step is to address the shortcomings in our education system.

An alarming number of schools aren’t focused on educating capable builders, instead they want to tick boxes to earn their funding. Because of this, many builders are left to learn through trial and error, often jeopardising the integrity of their projects. This isn't a slight on the dedicated teachers within the system—they’re fighting an uphill battle against outdated curricula and an administration resistant to change.

While the current state of construction in Australia can seem disheartening, the future is hopeful! We see a future where all builders are educated and confident about building physics. We see a future where knowledge flows freely and quality work is the standard. And most importantly, we see a future where taking pride in one’s work is the norm, not the exception.

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Instagram:  @sanctumhomes

Website:   www.yoursanctum.com.au/

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Instagram: @carlandconstructions

Website:  www.carlandconstructions.com/