Roadmap for women in construction

Building Commission NSW has released a report that makes key recommendations for boosting the number of women working in construction.

The report is the result of extensive research Building Commission NSW conducted in 2023, in which more than 1,700 people across New South Wales participated. The research included people working in the sector, students, and the general public. The majority responded to a survey, but Building Commission NSW also conducted 36 individual interviews and nine focus groups. The qualitative research was targeted towards small and medium-sized construction companies.

NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler OAM says the report provides informed recommendations to increase women’s participation in the industry and address some of the systemic challenges they face.

“By improving the workplace for all genders, it will encourage more women to join the industry,” he says.

The research found small to medium construction businesses account for 80 per cent of the industry but employ less than five per cent women. Thirty-five per cent of these businesses employ no women at all.

Key findings

• 71 per cent of women employed in these businesses have experienced discrimination, with one in two women experiencing sexual harassment.
• 42 per cent of male employers perceive the physical demands of the work as too high for women compared to 13 per cent of female employers.
• Small business employers are reluctant to hire women due to fears of being held legally responsible for any inappropriate behaviour by male employees in the workplace.
• Women considered leaving roles in the industry due to the hours involved, team culture, difficult work-life balance, gender-based differential treatment, lack of career opportunities and mental health concerns.

Moving forward

The recommendations outlined in the report provide a roadmap to help address key barriers to attracting and retaining women within the construction industry. This includes addressing negative perceptions, raising business and HR knowledge, improving workplace culture, increasing women’s exposure to construction careers and practical activities, and improving employers’ confidence in hiring females.

It also suggests, supporting work-life balance and career development, uplifting business operation knowledge, and improving collaboration across the industry.

Chandler says he is calling on all industry stakeholders to consider the findings and actionable recommendations.

“The participation and retention of women across NSW in the construction industry will deliver the benefits of a more diverse and inclusive industry, which increases innovation, improves productivity, and leads to stronger economic performance,” he says.

The full report can be downloaded here.

Feature image courtesy of Women in Construction.