Women are only represented in 11 per cent of the entire construction workforce.
BUILDING UP WOMEN
IN CONSTRUCTION THIS YEAR, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO AUSTRALIAN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS TO DRIVE THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY POST COVID-19. WITH WOMEN COMPRISING A MERE ONE PER CENT OF BUILDING TRADES, ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE SPEAKS TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION CHAIR AND THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TO FIND OUT WHERE FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION LIE.
M
aster Builders has found women only make up one per cent of the construction workforce in building trades. Furthermore, women are only represented in 11 per cent of the entire industry. To begin economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government has been working to create stimuli to boost the economy and produce jobs for those out of employment. The construction industry has been a major beneficiary of this initiative over the past few months, with every state and territory being allocated significant federal 14
ROADS AUGUST 2020
funding for infrastructure projects. This funding, and more allocated by the states themselves, is expected to create many jobs, while providing communities with safer and more advanced infrastructure. However, with women making up such a small percentage of the construction industry, they may not benefit from these job opportunities. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency Australia found that during May 2020, women’s labour force participation rate decreased 2.9 per cent, with men’s participation rate decreasing 1.9 per cent.
With women disproportionately affected by job losses during COVID-19, construction and building could hold the key to getting these women back into work. While women may be well represented through affectionate names for the Tunnel Boring machines used to build the Melbourne Metro Tunnel and others, experts believe more work is needed to steer women into construction work. Roads & Infrastructure explores the possible opportunities for women in construction that are available now, through transferable skills and clear pathways.
