Master Builders initiative supports women in construction

Women working in the construction industry will be offered support in the form of a new mentoring program, launched by Master Builders Australia.

The organisation’s ‘Advancing Women in Building and Construction’ initiative is part of an approach to increase the number of women in the industry.

Research shows that when women are attracted to careers in the industry, they often drop out during training or fail to go on and work in the industry even when their training is completed.

“We want to encourage more women to work in the industry and to access training pathways to careers in the industry,” said Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia.

“A big part of that is about supporting them in their choice. We also need to ensure that the industry is prepared and willing to accept them.

“Recruiting men and women who are achievers in the industry and encouraging them to mentor women, looking to do the same, is an important step to retaining more women in the industry.”

Brian Seidler, executive director of the Master Builders Association New South Wales, said the state’s builders support the program.

“There is still a way to go, but some of the state’s leading builders are seeing the benefits of getting more women on board,” he said.

Mentors will be drawn from experienced industry practitioners with a current supervisory role or own their own business. Mentees will be women with up to five years’ experience working in the industry part or full time, completing an apprenticeship or in a pre-employment program.

For more information visit www.masterbuilders.com.au.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/eric