S4. Ep 6. Talking with John Davies about Fixing Construction: Culture, Procurement & the Future of the Industry

Hey, Legends! Welcome to another episode of The Building Talks Podcast! 

Ever feel like the construction industry’s in a bit of strife? Well, you’re not alone – and neither is John Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association (ACA). I finally caught up with John to talk about the big stuff; industry reform, procurement chaos, cultural burnout, and what we can actually do to sort it out.

We had a cracking chat about how the ACA is working to shake things up, from championing value over lowest price, to backing modern methods of construction, and pushing for a proper cultural reset across the industry. We also cover mental health, workforce shortages, insolvency, and the role government should be playing as the industry’s biggest client.

Oh, and if you’re keen to be part of the shift, keep an eye on the Foundations & Frontiers event coming up later in 2025, definitely worth a spot in your calendar!

Key takeaways from this episode:

✅ Construction’s got a problem with insolvency and worker burnout
✅ Mental health is critical, and can’t be ignored
✅ Procurement needs a rethink: it’s not all about price
✅ The government has massive influence, and should use it wisely
✅ Fairer, more transparent tendering is essential
✅ Bigger players need to lead, but everyone has a part to play
✅ Backing smaller contractors helps the entire ecosystem
✅ We need better cash flow, smarter systems, and financial stability
✅ Manufacturing and AI can help, if we fix the data problem
✅ We’ve got to make construction a more attractive career path
✅ Culture matters, and it’s time for a major upgrade

🤔 Why tune in?

If you’re on the tools, in the office, or leading a team, this one’s for you. It’s a real, honest chat about where the industry’s at, and what it’ll take to build something better. No fluff, just ideas, insights, and a call to lift the bar.

🎧 Hit play and get inspired to help build the future of construction.

Hope you enjoy the podcast!

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