Frustration for returning construction workers

More than 100,000 construction workers emigrated during the recession

Former construction workers are being deterred from coming home from Australia, the US and Canada due to the state’s failure to recognise their experience and qualifications.

They have to re-sit the state’s Safe Pass course despite having similar international safety certs. They are also forced to do re-safety courses for crane driving, bulldozer driving and other skills that they have already done abroad.

The shortage of building workers is threatening the government’s target ...