NSW Government Initiates Survey to Increase Women's Participation in Construction
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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.
The construction industry in New South Wales (NSW) is grappling with a significant gender disparity, with women comprising only 13% of the workforce and a mere 2% in trade roles. To address this issue, the NSW government is launching a survey targeting both construction businesses and workers.
This survey builds upon baseline data collected in the previous year and seeks to inform data-driven decisions on resource allocation to improve women's participation in this traditionally male-dominated field.
Infrastructure NSW Chief Executive Tom Gellibrand emphasized the importance of the survey, stating that 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." This 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, and 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 that "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, and the 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.