By Serena Seyfort | 9 News Network
Females will no longer be a rare sight in Victoria’s construction industry from 2022 following the introduction of a new policy mandate for government projects.
In an Australian-first, the Victorian Government has moved to ensure there are places for females among the male-dominated industry under the new Building Equality Policy.
The policy will mean women must make up at least three per cent of trade roles, seven per cent of non-trade positions and 35 per cent of management, supervisor and specialist labour roles in government projects worth $20 million or more.
Women have represented just two to three per cent of the Victorian construction industry in the past 30 years.
Engineer Melanie Langlois, who is working on the Metro Tunnel Project, has welcomed the idea to bring women into the industry.
“I wish there were more women working in construction because there’s a set of skills that we bring,” she said.
Director of Supa Group Constructions Neil Gardiner said the mandate was a good thing for the industry.
“I would encourage any females out there that would like to join the construction industry or join a trade to do so,” he said.
