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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationA concrete plan to boost number of women in construction is needed beyond pink hi-vis and toilets
A concrete plan to boost number of women in construction is needed beyond pink hi-vis and toilets
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“If we are truly going to make careers in construction appeal to an additional 50 per cent of the population, then we need a much more comprehensive and substantive plan that addresses this multi-decade issue from all angles.
“HIA estimates that to build the volume of housing Australia desperately needs we require 83,000 additional trades right away. This figure doesn’t even cover key professional roles which are equally in short supply including designers, certifiers, planners, engineers and construction/project managers.
“Therefore, HIA is advocating that ‘business-as-usual’ approaches to addressing these critical shortages won’t cut it.
“Currently, women make up approximately 15 per cent of the construction workforce, and it has been pleasing to see this increasing in the past few years, but it is still far lower than we would like to see.
“A comprehensive plan to attract more women must consists of measures such as:
- Implementing a widespread, long term funded program to get into every primary school in the country to promote a career in construction.
- Engaging industry leading women ambassadors to talk of their experiences.
- Commit to increase apprentice and traineeship support payments.
- Target apprentice retention through industry based mentoring programs.
- Fund 'try a trade' and 'build ready' programs.
- Provide long term financial support for employers to take on apprentices.
- Develop a workforce development campaign specific to the most in demand trade and non-trade roles.
- Specific campaigns which target mature aged workers wanting to change careers or return to the workforce after an absence.
- Offer GTO funding which educates employers on contemporary family-friendly employment practices.
- Continue funding for the National Construction Industry Forum.
“Beyond the trades there are so many diverse roles in construction including planners, architects, surveyors, lawyers and designers.
“For its part HIA provide dedicated networks and resources for women through its Building Women Program and also promoting and supporting career pathways for those starting out through its BuildHer programs.
“We also cannot ignore the industry itself needs to mature and be better educated, with more family-friendly work hours, diversity of roles, where possible flexible working and of course clean facilities for all employees not just women. Construction is competing for skilled workers with industries that are well advanced in offering these benefits.
“International Women’s Day offers an important opportunity for the construction industry, employers and governments to consider new and innovative ways to promote the breadth of careers available and the limitless career prospects that exist in the construction industry,” concluded Ms Martin.
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