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Promoting diversity in the residential building industry

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) and MiTek have joined forces to launch She Builds The Future – a program designed to inspire, educate and promote diversity in the residential building industry.

Launched at HIA’s National Policy Congress on May 15, HIA deputy managing director Kristin Brookfield said that the program aims to promote inclusion in the industry.

“If we can inspire people of all ages to think about the range of jobs this amazing industry has to offer, we know we can increase the diversity of the industry and create a culture of inclusion,” Ms Brookfield said.

The She Builds The Future website is aimed at girls and women interested in a career in home building.

The website aims to provide a unique way to learn more about the pathways into the industry.

“Knowing what you want to do when you leave school can be daunting. The She Builds The Future website showcases a range of jobs, onsite and offsite, in construction, manufacturing and business management. The website provides insights on the what the job involves, why you’d be interested in the job and what you need to do to get that job. This information is supported by wonderful stories and guidance from real women, working in the job today, Ms Brookfield said.

While most people think of the well-known jobs like builders, carpenters, electricians and plumbers, there are so many more people and jobs involved in building a new home.

Every new home is built on strong foundations using high quality building materials.

Engineers, designers, fabricators and many more amazing jobs make up this essential sector of the building industry.

The website will showcase a variety of these roles and showcase women already achieving success in their chosen careers.

MiTek Asia Pacific managing director David Oliver said MiTek and HIA are working together and aim to help open doors for the next generation of builders, tradespeople, manufacturers and fabricators.

The program also includes the release of the Australian edition of The House that She Built, a children’s story book written to open the world of home building to our youngest minds.

With women currently making up just 15% of the construction industry in Australia, the program serves as a call to action, encouraging young minds to building as a genuine pathway to explore and develop skills that build confidence and character.

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