Women bridge gap

The civil construction industry needs a woman’s touch to address a growing shortage of skilled professionals. The sector, which is facing issues with an ageing workforce, also is losing many workers to mining as workers there use much of the same skill set.

Huge growth is expected in the industry in the next 10 years because of strong government investment in infrastructure, such as transport upgrades.

That is adding to the challenge.

The Civil Contractors Federation wants to attract a different demographic to the industry to boost its workforce.

It has launched the Women in Civil program. This is a 12-week course designed to support women, aged 16 to 24 years, from the northern suburbs.

Thirty newcomers completed the course last year, with more than half of them securing positions in the civil construction industry.

Most of the remaining workers went on to further study.

Course participant Krystle Squires, 18, of Andrews Farm, is ready for her challenging new career. Previously working in retail, she says the new route is different, but better.

“I had been involved with Civil Train before this course and they contacted me about taking part in this. It seemed really interesting,” she says.

She is among 15 students hoping to find a job in the industry after completing the course.

She says it would be good to see more women workers behind the state’s construction.

“It would be good to see more of us out there,” she says.

“I would really like to put into practice what we have been learning and perhaps get into traffic management.”

Federation chief executive Peter Nolan says that the overwhelming success of the program has led to its receiving more government funding for four more courses this year.

“There is a looming skills shortage in the civil engineering construction field that must be addressed,” he says.

If the course continues to be successful, the demographic of the traditionally male-dominated industry could change vastly.

Women now represent between 5 and 10 per cent of workers in the industry.

“We’re aiming to get this closer to 50 per cent,” Mr Nolan says.

“To do this, we need to provide the right training programs and ensure there are opportunities for career advancement.

“It is exciting to see a growing number of women pursuing employment in civil engineering and the industry is the better for it.

“This represents a huge opportunity for women to become a driving force in the state’s next boom industry.”

CIVIL WAGE
•    First year apprentices can earn up to $40,000 a year
•    The average starting salary for a civil engineer is $60,000 – $70,000
•    The average project manager salary is $80,000 – $100,000 per year
•    A construction manager can earn up to $200,000 per year