Women in Construction Research Group

Summary:

The study identified barriers to attracting and retaining women in Queensland's construction industry in site-based roles from the perspectives of both men and women. A particular feature of the research is that it focused exclusively on the construction trade and labour workforce.

Partners: 

Building Employees Redundancy Trust
Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (Queensland Branch, Australia)
Master Builders Queensland
Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union Queensland

Report: 

In progress

Summary:

In 2019, the Victorian Government released Victoria’s first Women in Construction Strategy 2019-2022 (Strategy) to increase women’s participation in trade and semi-skilled roles. The Strategy set out a four-year work program with actions at three key points of intervention: attract, recruit and retain. We were engaged by the Victorian Government to lead the consultation of the next strategy (Building Equitable Futures Strategy 2024-2032), and an accompanying three-year Action Plan. Consultation occurred over two stages. The first stage set out to explore the scope and vision for the new strategy, challenges experienced by women in construction, and areas of priority to inform the development of the Strategy and its associated Action Plan. The second stage of consultation set out to identify positive and negative aspects of the Draft Strategy and initiatives that should be removed, augmented, or included in the Action Plan. Both consultation stages provided a forum for stakeholders of the Victorian construction industry to participate in shaping the new Strategy and Action Plan.

Partners: 

Victorian Government

Report: 

• Holdsworth, S. & Turner, M. (2022). Building Gender Equality: Victoria's Women in Construction Strategy 2023-2031. Focus Group Consultation: 1. RMIT University: Melbourne, Australia (pp.53).
• Holdsworth, S. & Turner, M. (2023). Building Gender Equality: Victoria's Women in Construction Strategy 2023-2031. Focus Group Consultation 2. RMIT University: Melbourne, Australia (pp.13).
• Victorian Government website

Summary:

The Victorian Government implemented the Building Equality Policy (BEP) on 1 January 2022 to support a gender inclusive industry and change existing gender stereotypes, norms and roles in the construction sector. Through the BEP, the Government set gender equality targets and requirements for contractors on government-funded projects valued at $20 million or more. The Victorian Government engaged us to evaluate the BEP during the initial stages of its implementation. The research examined how the BEP was implemented and its influence on the experience of key stakeholders in construction.

Partners: 

Victorian Government, Australia

Report: 

Phase 1

• Holdsworth, S., Turner, M., & Sandri, O. (2023). Building Equality Policy Implementation Evaluation 2023. RMIT University: Melbourne, Australia (pp.167).
• Victorian Government website

Phase 2

Forthcoming

Summary:

This research responds to the Victorian Women in Construction Strategy 2019-2022 Building Gender Equality. The objective of this research was to understand how girls and women are attracted to and experience apprenticeships and training in construction-based trades in the Victorian state of Australia.

Partners: 

Victorian Government, Australia

Report: 

• Holdsworth, S., & Turner, M. (2022). Career Pathways of Women in Construction: Boots on the Ground. RMIT University: Melbourne, Australia (pp.123).
• Victoria Government website

Summary:

The Victorian Government developed the state’s first Women in Construction Strategy (Victoria’s Women in Construction Strategy 2019-2022: Building Gender Equality) to diversify the male-dominated construction industry. The Strategy is based on the three key themes of attracting, recruiting, and retaining women in construction. The study mapped the antecedents of wellbeing of trades and semi-skilled women employed in the industry and recommended opportunities to increase capability within the workplace environment and at the individual level. The study also identified the existing networks, structures and forums for women employed in trades and semi-skilled roles, and made recommendations based on these findings about the level and type of further support required.

Partners: 

• Victorian Government, Australia
• Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (Victorian Branch, Australia)

Report: 

• Holdsworth, S., Turner, M., Scott-Young, C.M., & Sandri, K. (2020). Women in Construction: Exploring the Barriers and Supportive Enablers of Wellbeing in the Workplace. RMIT University: Melbourne, Australia (pp.131).
• Victorian Government website