Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text!

Welcome back to The Building Talks Podcast, wrapping up Season 4 with a story that perfectly captures grit, growth, and what’s possible in construction when mindset meets opportunity.

In this finale, I’m joined by Joey Hidalgo, founder of the TMC Academy and host of The Profitable Estimator Podcast. Joey moved from the Philippines to Australia with just $700, sending out 50 resumes a day before breaking into estimating and launching his own Estimating business. He shares how he built his career, the underestimated power of estimators, and why systems and mentorship matter more than ever. We also discuss how offshoring can solve skills shortages when done right and why Australia’s hiring mindset needs a serious rethink.

Takeaways:

✅ Building a career from scratch in a new country
✅ Estimating as a critical (and overlooked) skill
✅ Joey’s WPR framework: Win, Profit, Repeat
✅ The offshoring debate: cheap labour or opportunity bridge?
✅ Fixing the hiring mindset to focus on training, not perfection

Chapters:

05:23 Cultural Representation in Construction
08:20 National Pride and Historical Context
14:14 Career Path and Opportunities in Engineering
17:03 Transitioning to Estimating in Australia
23:54 Innovations in Estimating Processes
29:57 Reflections on Diversity in Construction
39:25 From Estimator to Entrepreneur
42:55 Identifying the Skills Gap in Estimating
45:40 The Challenge of Estimating in Construction
51:39 Building a BPO for Estimators
55:34 The Importance of Fair Compensation
58:22 The SOT Framework for Successful Offshoring
01:01:11 Building Trust and Communication in Remote Teams
01:08:43 Developing Talent in the Construction Industry
01:17:19 Finding the Right Fit: Training vs. Hiring
01:27:43 Perceptions of the Australian Construction Industry

Tune in for an inspiring, no-fluff chat about building a career from scratch, unlocking offshore potential, and why estimating deserves way more respect.

Hope you enjoy the podcast!

#ConstructionCareers #EstimatingMatters #TheBuildingTalksPodcast #TMCacademy #ProfitableEstimator #OffshoringInConstruction #SkilledMigration #MentorshipInConstruction #ConstructionLeadership #DiversityInConstruction

The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland. For an overview of our service, visit:

www.buildingenvirons.com.au

Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA). Check out their website, and join the movement!

www.housingallaustralians.org.au

The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.

Contact The Building Talks Podcast

• Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram
• Visit us on our website
• Email us at info@buildingenvirons.com.au

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text!

Hi there, and welcome to The Building Talks Podcast, where we dig into what really builds success…

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Clements, Managing Director of Inertia Engineering, a growing multidisciplinary Engineering firm based in Southeast Queensland. Scott’s story takes us from his early career in the UK to scaling a 70-person consultancy back in Australia, including some impressive growth during the COVID era.

We explore the mix of strategy, timing and mindset that helped Inertia grow through unpredictable conditions. Scott also shares sharp takes on labour shortages, skilled migration, the real role of AI in construction productivity, and how he's using smart partnerships, including a joint venture with a New Zealand tech firm, to keep Inertia ahead of the curve. It’s a shorter conversation than usual, but full of practical insights and forward-thinking leadership.

Takeaways:

✅ Growing through uncertainty, strategy vs luck
✅ Using AI and partnerships to drive productivity
✅ Talent shortages and the immigration squeeze
✅ Positioning your business for future growth
✅ Engineering leadership that challenges the norm

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction and Guest Overview
00:15 - Scott's Career Journey
01:25 - Industry Themes and Challenges
02:35 - Inertia Engineering's Growth and Strategy
03:37 - Podcast Partnership and Sponsorship
05:10 - Scott's Early Interest in Engineering
05:45 - Overseas Experience and Cultural Impact
11:01 - Inertia Engineering's History and Expansion
18:27 - Southeast Queensland Market Insights
24:54 - Productivity Challenges in Construction
28:12 - Cultural Shifts in Construction
28:48 - Innovation and Technology in Engineering
29:50 - Partnership with New Zealand Firm
30:38 - Challenges in Project Leadership
32:46 - Investment in AI and Automation
37:08 - Education and Skill Development
39:53 - Immigration and Labor Shortages
47:38 - Future Predictions and Strategies
57:55 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Tune in for a sharp, honest chat on scaling smart and leading with intention in the built environment.

Hope you enjoy the podcast!

#ConstructionLeadership #EngineeringBusiness #SoutheastQueensland #BuiltEnvironment #AIFuture #ImmigrationPolicy #ProductivityInConstruction #TheBuildingTalksPodcast

The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland. For an overview of our service, visit:

www.buildingenvirons.com.au

Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA). Check out their website, and join the movement!

www.housingallaustralians.org.au

The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.

Contact The Building Talks Podcast

• Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram
• Visit us on our website
• Email us at info@buildingenvirons.com.au

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text!

Thanks for joining me today on The Building Talks Podcast, got a ripper episode lined up…

In this episode, I’m joined by Alana “Lu” Luppi, Senior Project Manager at ESR Group. From cleaning site sheds and abseiling high-rises to leading major commercial builds, Lu’s journey into construction is anything but ordinary.

We chat about how mentoring over 40 emerging professionals shaped her career, the story behind launching the Speak Up Foundation, and why emotional intelligence and continuous training matter more than bravado. If you care about culture, growth and fixing the industry’s training gaps, this one's for you.

Takeaways:

✅ Mentoring done right can keep people in the industry
✅ Curiosity trumps bravado in great leaders
✅ The industry needs more structured training and support
✅ Speaking up changes culture from the inside
✅ You don’t have to “do it tough” just because others did

Chapters:

04:40 – The Toughness of the Construction Industry
08:52 – Personal Journey into Construction
12:19 – Gender Dynamics in Construction
17:03 – Career Pivots and Education
20:05 – Mentorship and Support Systems
28:15 – Empowering Women and Marginalised Group in Construction
31:54 – Addressing Bias and Inclusion in the Industry
33:33 – The Role of Mentorship in Career Development
36:12 – Challenges in In-House Career Development
39:05 – The Importance of Leadership and Support
42:03 – Creating a Supportive Work Environment
44:39 – The Speak Up Foundation’s Mission
50:01 – The Future of Training and Development in Construction
58:39 – Evolving Mindsets and Personal Growth
01:00:46 – The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
01:03:18 – Navigating Challenges in Project Management
01:07:32 – Time Management and Reflection in Construction
01:10:52 – The Journey of Writing a Book
01:16:31 – Balancing Passion Projects with Professional Life

Tune in for an honest, energising chat on what it really takes to create a better future for construction.

Hope you enjoy the podcast!

#TheBuildingTalksPodcast #ConstructionLeadership #MentoringMatters #MentalHealthInConstruction #SpeakUpFoundation #WomenInConstruction #ESRGroup #ProjectManagement #IndustryCulture

The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland. For an overview of our service, visit:

www.buildingenvirons.com.au

Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA). Check out their website, and join the movement!

www.housingallaustralians.org.au

The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.

Contact The Building Talks Podcast

• Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram
• Visit us on our website
• Email us at info@buildingenvirons.com.au