The NSW Women in Construction Program (the Program) has an ambitious goal to increase the participation and retention of women in trade and non-traditional roles in the construction sector. Women currently make up 12% of the construction industry and less than 4% of on-site roles.
The Program is delivering four priority actions.
1
Industry Innovation Program (IIP)
- An industry grants program to support a diverse range of innovative industry ideas with the ambition to remove obstacles to women entering or staying in the construction sector.
- Year 1 of the IIP allocated $3.7 million in grant funding across 21 projects. The list of successful applicants is available on the NSW Grants website.
- Year 2 of the IIP allocated $2.2 million in grant funding across 13 projects. The list of successful applicants is available on the NSW Grants website.
2
Communications & Engagement
- A multi-faceted communications and engagement campaign is underway to promote positive and inclusive behaviours on-site, and secondly, raise awareness and desire for women to enter the construction sector.
- The “Hard Work Knows No Gender” campaign was launched in December 2023 and aims to promote gender diversity on construction sites. Refreshed campaign images will be launched in early 2025.
- The Women in Construction website and LinkedIn pages have been launched and are experiencing traffic and engagement levels well above already ambitious targets.
3
Targets for major infrastructure projects
- The Program is piloting increased targets of 4% for women in trade – up from existing targets of 2% - and introducing a new target of 7% for non-traditional roles on 23 major government infrastructure projects. There has previously been no set target for this cohort.
- The 23 projects are currently tracking at 4% Women in Trades (against a target of 4%) and 5.7% Women in Non-Traditional roles (against a target of 7%).
- 19 Project Officers have been placed on-site across the pilot projects to deliver programs and initiatives aimed at increasing the participation and retention rates of women on site.
4
Industry Survey
- A first-of-its-kind industry survey was undertaken in 2023, with participation from 593 construction workers and 313 construction businesses. The surveys sought to gain an understanding of baseline participation and sentiment across the sector. The results of the survey have been published in a Survey Report.
- The Year 2 Industry Survey report was released in October, building on the inaugural survey with participation from over 1,000 businesses and individuals. Data from the survey responses will be used to better understand the impact of the work being undertaken by Government and industry, and where future efforts should be directed.
A multi-pronged strategy is required to drive change across the male dominated construction industry. The Program is engaging extensively with key industry stakeholders:
- Removing obstacles that prevent women from entering the industry and implementing reforms to create safe and inclusive workplaces.
- Creating desire and awareness to encourage women to choose a career in construction, focussing on the benefits and opportunities construction offers.
- Fulfilment and retention: creating pathways for women to apply, enter and progress in the industry and providing active support.
- Accountability: keeping government and industry accountable to increase women’s participation and report on progress.