There are more young women working in the construction industry than ever before, but it’s still not enough according to national industry Jobs and Skills Council, BuildSkills Australia.
As part of this week’s National Skills Week, analysts at BuildSkills have crunched the numbers focusing on female construction workers.
BuildSkills’ Chief Executive Officer Brett Schimming said there has been a concerted effort to attract more women into the construction industry over recent years, and the data is reflecting this.
“In the 15 to 24-year-old age group, there are more females working as construction trades workers than ever before,” Mr Schimming said.
“The latest data available, which is as of May this year, shows there are more than 3,000 young female construction trades workers.
“Construction trades workers are usually the people on the tools at a job site, and most women in this age group are over 18 years of age, and many are apprentices.
“The number of female construction trades workers is just shy of 12,000 (11,980) for 2024, compared with 6,100 back in 2019.
“Despite the increase, female construction trades workers still only represent 2.9% of the sector’s workforce in 2024.”
Mr Schimming said BuildSkills was tasked with developing the first ever national workforce plan for the construction, property and water industries.
“The comprehensive plan, set to be released later this year, will support Federal Government policy making and skills and training needs across the sectors,” he said.
“BuildSkills’ workforce plan will place a priority on ensuring the skills and training of today meet the needs of the future, and attracting more women to the construction industry is a key priority.”
National Skills Week will this year encourage all Australians to discover how Vocational Education and Training (VET) can be the ultimate game-changer in their own or their families’ careers and lives as well as highlight the game-changing impact skills has on Australia’s future and economy. Hence why this year’s theme is VET – It’s a Game-Changer!
Whether you’re a high school leaver, looking for inspiration on what courses to study to lead you on an exciting and rewarding career pathway, you’re a parent looking to guide your child, you’re a worker looking to upskill, re-skill or even switch careers and pursue a new passion, vocational education and training can literally change your life.
Supported by the federal government, National Skills Week 2024 aims to celebrate the many and varied inspiring and heart-warming success stories and demonstrate how others can transform their lives by listening to those who have done it.
The week will highlight the significant contributions of women in trades, the importance of Indigenous workforce participation, and the need for accessibility in remote areas. It will also highlight the most in-demand, highest growth industry sectors and sub-sectors such as manufacturing and digital skills as well as address skills shortages across a myriad of sectors.
Case study
Elizabeth Briggs is a second-year bricklayer apprentice, who took the plunge into a new career having started out as a fitness instructor.
Elizabeth was keen to find a career with future security and one that allowed her to set up her own business down the track.
Whilst initially Elizabeth wasn’t sure if this change was right for her, she started the journey with an open mind.
“Being out there with my hands, being very physically active, I realised I actually loved it,” Elizabeth said.
"When I started the course, I realised it was such a supportive environment, and I would just say to any women out there, to just give it a crack."
View Elizabth’s video here: Brick and Block Careers Ambassador - Elizabeth Briggs (youtube.com)
For more information visit www.buildskills.com.au and National Skills Week 2024 - 19th to 25th August 2024.
Graph: Construction Trade Workers (females, 15 to 24-year-olds. Data source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (June 2024) 'Table 1 : EQ08 - Employed persons by Occupation unit group of main job (ANZSCO), Sex, State and Territory, August 1986 onwards', Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, June 2024 | Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au) , accessed 16 August 2024.)
ENDS
Media Contact: Chris Reid | +61 411 284 474 | chrisr@buildskills.com.au
Photo credit: Hutchinsons Builders
