The NSW government is increasing its support for the NSW Women in Construction Program, aiming to drive a significant shift in the construction industry by promoting greater gender diversity.
As part of this initiative, several projects are testing increased targets for women in trades and non-traditional construction roles across the state.
The Women in Construction Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program, currently underway, has strategically allocated funding for 16 project officers on 19 government infrastructure projects statewide.
These projects include the Powerhouse Parramatta, Wentworth Point New High School, M7/M12 Integration Project in Cecil Park, Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, and the Newell Highway Upgrade — New Dubbo Bridge in Dubbo.
The project officers are working directly with contractors and sub-contractors to meet these targets, identify progress, lessons learned, and barriers, and develop strategies to achieve these goals.
They are also facilitating training opportunities, connecting with local schools and universities, and building a pipeline of workers.
Early reports suggest positive progress, with an increase in women’s participation on the pilot project sites.
NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan highlighted the success of the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program in achieving and surpassing targets, as he stated: “The current Infrastructure Skills Legacy target for women in trades is 2 per cent. We are looking to increase this to 4 per cent as part of this initiative.
“Recent data from Training Services NSW indicates that women in construction trade apprenticeships has already increased from 1 per cent to 2.5 per cent.”
With a substantial government investment of $117 billion into the infrastructure pipeline over the next four years, diversifying the construction workforce is not just a priority but a necessity.
The NSW government plans to use data from these pilot projects to assess the viability of implementing mandatory women in construction targets for all future government infrastructure projects.
NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison emphasised the commitment to reducing gender segregation in industries like construction — highlighting the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program as a key initiative to boost women’s participation in the sector.
“Lifting women’s participation in construction is not only the right thing to do for diversity in the industry but it plays an important role in addressing the current skills shortages,” said Harrison.
John Holland Project Director Lizzie Cox stated: “With the help of the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program, John Holland Group, has achieved the target for women in non-traditional roles — which is currently sitting at 8 per cent and is tracking well towards achieving the women in trades target.
“We are extremely proud that the project has also achieved the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program targets for the workforce participation of Aboriginal People, people under 25 and for local community employment.”
