CV Services Group is still navigating challenges stemming from Covid.
“Before the pandemic, our margins in the construction and infrastructure sectors were already tight; Covid introduced additional hurdles,” Non-Executive Director Ed Phelan said.
“We’ve all felt the impact of rising costs for materials and labour, which continue to put pressure on our margins.”
The Brisbane-based company offers a diverse range of services in electrical and communications, trade services and signage solutions.
“While rising costs may not be entirely within the Government's control, one area where they can make a meaningful difference is in the industrial relations framework,” Mr Phelan said.
“Certain changes in this area have contributed to these cost increases.
“It’s essential to ensure our team is compensated fairly, but we also need to see corresponding improvements in productivity.
“When the Government encourages us to negotiate our Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs), it’s crucial this process is mutually beneficial.”
Recent changes in industrial relations and workplace health and safety regulations have shifted some responsibilities on to employers, Mr Phelan said.
“It often feels like we’re tasked with overseeing every aspect of employee conduct," he said.
“We need to promote a culture of personal accountability alongside employer support.
“It’s important to clarify where individual responsibility ends and where the employer’s begins.
“Each day presents new challenges, and we hope the next government will establish an industrial relations framework that truly supports productivity while promoting our goals of becoming world leaders in manufacturing.”
The shortage of skilled tradespeople is another challenge CV Services Group faces.
“We employ professionals in electrical plumbing, HVAC, fire services and building,” Mr Phelan said.
“Despite having a sizeable workforce of 850 employees and 150-160 apprentices, maintaining a steady flow of qualified tradespeople remains a challenge.
“There’s a significant opportunity for the next government to rethink our apprentice training programs. We’ve been training apprentices in similar ways for centuries, and it’s time for an update.
“Certain tasks could be completed by individuals with specific qualifications, allowing us to address skill shortages more effectively.
“For example, while currently a fully qualified plumber is required for roofing, we could train competent roofers in just 12 months.”
“Unions play a vital role in protecting trades, and we recognise their importance,” Mr Phelan said.
“However, finding a balance that allows for a more flexible approach to training and qualifications can be beneficial for everyone involved.
“Understanding the varying levels of risk associated with different electrical tasks is crucial. Not all electrical work carries the same level of risk, and we can create pathways for more tradespeople to enter the workforce.”
“I’ve seen productive collaborations with unions throughout my career,” Mr Phelan said.
“However, in the construction sector, we have room for improvement in these relationships.
“While we operate under a non-union EBA, there are instances where union decisions have impacted our ability to work on certain jobs.
“It’s essential for everyone to work together to improve productivity on sites, especially when many tasks could be completed efficiently.”
“Our business continuously adapts to the policies and systems put forth by the Government, yet we’ve found some regulations can make it more challenging to operate effectively,” Mr Phelan said.
“We believe the next government has the potential to foster a more productive environment. True productivity comes from empowering people, and we’re committed to training and developing our workforce to achieve this.
“Since our inception in 2004, we’ve noticed new regulations have made business operations more complex, and we hope for legislative changes that promote efficiency and value.”
Mr Phelan has concerns about the infrastructure delivery for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Given the high demand for labour, the risk of delays and budget overruns for these projects is significant,” he said.
“The current framework could lead to challenges that affect not just the Olympics but other projects as well.
“From an employer’s perspective, longer project timelines can impact profitability, and we want to ensure businesses can thrive and continue to contribute positively to the economy.
“By fostering collaboration across government departments, we can address long-term issues such as labour shortages and empower businesses to achieve sustainable margins that allow for reinvestment and growth.”
Ed Phelan spoke to Ai Group Communications Manager Wendy Larter
