Building and construction jobs have been highlighted as one of the most in-demand occupations of the future. With skill shortages in nearly every trade, the need for workers is at an all-time high.
By 2024, the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business has estimated an additional 113, 700 workers will be needed to meet the growing demand.¹
Currently, women make up a small portion of the construction labour market, with figures as low as 2% in places like Victoria.² However, state governments across Australia are working hard to change this and build a more inclusive workforce.
Women in construction could be the solution to the skills shortage. With strong employment growth, a great demand for women and plenty of mentoring opportunities available, there has never been a better time than now to learn a trade and join the construction industry.
Please continue reading to learn more about the growing demand for women in construction and why it's a great career path.
Strong employment growth
Employment in the construction industry is strong and is expected to continue growing. The Australian Industry and Skills Committee have forecasted a 9 percent increase in employment between 2020 and 2024.³
Australia is currently experiencing a building and construction boom, and the need for construction workers is at an all-time high. Across Australia, thousands of career opportunities at all levels are becoming available. Something Australia has not witnessed in a long time.
If you have ever thought about joining the construction industry, the time to do it is now.
Female workers are in demand
At present, women in construction make up 12 percent of the workforce.⁴ A low ratio that the Queensland Government is actively working towards lifting.
The Queensland Government's procurement management and contract management team, QBuild, has been leading the way to build a more inclusive workforce through their ongoing recruitment efforts to lift the female labour force ratio.
A current project of theirs that has been making a difference and looking at finding ways to boost women's participation is the 20 unit Cannon Hill social housing project. This project has already had an all-women fencing team complete the perimeter, and many new female apprentices have been recruited to work an array of trades.
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Mentor opportunities
For female construction workers in Queensland, mentoring opportunities are available through Australian, not-for-profit organisation, National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
NAWIC is a women's support service that helps advocate and empower women in the construction industry. Their vision is to create an equitable construction industry with high female participation, and their mission is to achieve 25% female participation across all construction industry sectors by 2025.⁵
Queensland members of NAWAIC are offered formal mentoring with industry professionals and an array of learning and networking event opportunities. Through their mentoring program, mentees develop new skills to further their career development and break down gender barriers.
NAWAIC is available in all Australian states and territories. For more information, please click here.
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[1] 113,700 more construction workers needed by 2024. Retrieved on 26 October 2021. From: https://roadsonline.com.au/113700-more-construction-workers-needed-by-2024/#:~:text=Department%20of%20Employment%2C%20Skills%2C%20Small%20and%20Family%20Business%20estimates%20that,capital%20cities%20than%20regional%20areas.
[2] Victoria's Women in Construction Strategy. Retrieved on 26 October 2021. From: https://www.vic.gov.au/victorias-women-construction-strategy
[3] Industries/ Construction. Retrieved on 22 October 2021. From: https://nationalindustryinsights.aisc.net.au/industries/construction
[4] Women in Construction (Australia): What Barriers Do They Face? Retrieved on 22 October 2021. From: https://www.tpmbuilders.com.au/women-in-construction-australia/
[5] NAWIC About Us. Retrieved on 26 October 2021. From: https://www.nawic.com.au/NAWIC/About/About_Us/NAWIC/About/About_Us.aspx?hkey=85211aaf-f4fc-447a-9c30-2ec16a5cc3ff
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