- 2020 has been a tough year for Victorians, facing psychological, social, emotional and financial hardship.
- Trade industry workers were amongst the many affected, requiring to constantly adapt to the ever-changing laws.
- With trade employment down 7%, it's likely to be a slow and challenging return for the trade industry.
- When restrictions lift, the trade workers will still be required to follow a number of rules, such as social distancing & regular health checks.
Throughout 2020, Victoria gradually fell behind their neighbouring states as far as flattening the curve. On October 16th, Melbourne marked a notorious milestone; surpassing 100 days of “stay-at-home” restrictions. It’s fair to say, Melburnians have been through a lot; psychologically, socially, emotionally & financially.
Amongst the 6.3 million affected Victorians, our trade industry workers have experienced a rollercoaster 2020. It seemed as though with every next stage of restrictions enacted, tradies’ jobs were affected in one way or another. From drastic onsite downsizing, to restrictive social rulings; Victorian tradies were constantly required to adapt.
With most states by October maintaining consistently zero new cases day after day, Victoria finally began to see light at the end of the tunnel. From mid-October, to much relief, Victoria’s daily active case numbers began plummeting. With all eyes on Victoria’s premier Daniel Andrews, businesses will be given the opportunity to reopen from early November. With Victoria’s economy slowly rising from the ashes, this may rejuvenate the lives of tradies around the state. However, with Victoria’s construction sector drastically impacted by the state’s second lockdown - employment down 7% - it’s likely to be a slow and challenging return for the trade industry.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced sweeping changes to Melbourne’s coronavirus restrictions, saying “now is the time to open up”. https://t.co/svBww6ZM5B
— SBS News (@SBSNews) October 26, 2020
On a positive note, there have been other sectors across the country who have begun to recover since their re-opening. This gives the industry hope; it is anticipated the recovery period for the construction sector could still be a long journey ahead. The $680m program announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in June, gives eligible applicants the opportunity to build a new home, or renovate an existing home, with financial incentives from the government. This program hopes to inject life back into the industry, in the hope of creating new jobs for tradies across the country.
How quickly Melbourne’s tradies will start returning to work is hard to measure. However, with restrictions expected to ease by November, thousands of people will be heading back to work before Christmas. In the construction and building sectors, the government will require tradies to continue practising social distancing, wearing face masks, good hygiene practices, creating workforce bubbles and regular health check-ups with supervisors.
At this stage, no one knows the precise date as to when Victoria will reach COVID Normal. If Victoria continues to head on a steady path, avoiding another outbreak; this will allow tradies to occupy work sites with no density quota’s, and an updated COVID Safe plan. As businesses around the state continue to recover, more and more jobs will open up for those affected. Hopefully, Victorian’s have surpassed the bulk of the virus heading into Christmas. With Summer around the corner, it’s imperative that the state now get on top of their plans and head towards COVID Normal. This will allow people out of restrictions, businesses to open, and the economy to work on getting back to normal
