Campaign for women to enter construction

(suntorn somtong via Pexels)

The state government has launched a campaign highlighting the success of women in construction to encourage more women and girls, including those in Hume and Whittlesea, to pursue a career in the building industry.

The ‘She Built It’ digital, radio and print campaign was launched by Industrial Relations Minister Tim Pallas last week, set to appear streaming services, YouTube, Spotify and news sites, in regional newspapers and on radio across the state, including multicultural stations.

“There are many women with thriving careers in the construction industry and it’s important to highlight those stories because it’s hard to be what you can’t see. Representation and visibility matter,” Mr Pallas said.

“We need action to change the status quo and that’s what this campaign will promote.”

According the government, women comprise fewer than three per cent of building and construction trades workers in Victoria.

“The campaign will complement the Andrews Labor government’s Building Equality Policy which applies to large government projects and requires the representation of women in at least three per cent of each trade role, seven per cent of each non-trade position and 35 per cent of management, supervisor and specialist labour roles,” the government said.

“The Building Equality Policy also requires that four per cent of labour hours for apprentices and trainees be performed by women. In the first half of this year, 14 projects worth $15.8 billion have implemented minimum female representation in their respective workforces.

“The government has invested $3.5 million to support the implementation of the Building Equality Policy and a further $1.5 million to implement the Women in Construction Strategy.”

Details: womeninconstruction.com.au.