The New South Wales government has initiated a comprehensive survey as part of its Women in Construction Program, aiming to gain deeper insights into the experiences of women in the construction industry.
This move comes as the sector grapples with significant gender disparity, with women comprising only 13 per cent of the workforce and a mere 2 per cent in trade roles.
The survey, targetting both construction businesses and workers, builds upon baseline data collected in the previous year.
It seeks to inform data-driven decisions on resource allocation to improve women’s participation in the traditionally male-dominated field.
Infrastructure NSW Chief Executive Tom Gellibrand emphasised the importance of the survey, stating: “By shining a light on the issues women face in the industry, we can take steps to address them and help attract and retain more women in the construction sector.”
The initiative is particularly timely as the construction industry faces severe skills shortages, especially in trade roles.
The NSW government views increasing diversity and inclusivity as critical to delivering the state’s infrastructure pipeline.
Last year’s survey highlighted work-life balance and flexible working hours as top concerns for both men and women in the sector.
These findings have already informed policy changes aimed at improving workplace practices.
The Women in Construction Program encompasses several initiatives, including:
- The Women in Construction Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program, which sets targets for women’s participation in trade and non-traditional roles on government projects.
- The Industry Innovation Program, a competitive grants program that allocated $3.7 million to 21 projects in its first year.
- The “Hard Work Knows No Gender” campaign, launched in December 2023 to promote gender diversity on construction sites.
Gellibrand called for widespread participation in the survey, stating: “We need the help of the entire construction industry to create a safe, diverse, and inclusive working environment for the benefit of everyone.”
The survey is now open, with links available on the Women in Construction website and LinkedIn page.
Results from the previous year’s survey can be accessed on the program’s official website.
As the construction sector in NSW looks to address its gender imbalance and skills shortage, this survey represents a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce.
