Women in construction

Historically, construction work has been synonymous with early start times, typically from 7am to 6pm on weekdays. Recognising that this may be a deterrent for individuals with caregiving responsibilities or other morning commitments from pursuing construction careers, the M7-M12 Integration project is piloting a new program to address standard working hours. This work roster offers a later start time of 8:45am, compared to the usual 6:45am.

This Late-Start initiative includes a pre-start meeting at 8:45am, ensuring all employees receive essential information that would otherwise be conveyed at the 6:45am meeting.

By adopting this later start time, we can create new opportunities for those with early morning responsibilities, allowing them to engage in and benefit from a fulfilling career in construction.

Our project is hosting students undertaking the NSW Government Infrastructure Traineeship. The traineeship is a two-year program that enables school leavers to access Vocational Education and Training (VET) whilst completing a work placement in an office-based infrastructure role. Trainees spend three eight-month rotations with government and industry to gain valuable exposure to the whole infrastructure ecosystem. Trainees also gain an understanding of the role of each party in the successful delivery of public infrastructure. The program arms trainees with workplace-specific skills, experience, and knowledge so they are prepared for further study, equipping the industry with a pipeline of skilled young people seeking employment. To date our project has hosted 11 Project Management and Administration trainees, with one participant obtaining full-time employment on the M7-M12 Integration project so far.

Recent graduates include Mariella and Ethan, pictured below. On completing his Traineeship, Ethan said "I am extremely grateful for the invaluable industry insights, connections and networking which has made a positive impact on me! I've decided to advance my career by pursuing a bachelor's degree in construction management, and I'm thrilled to share that I'll be undertaking this journey at Western Sydney University."

The M7-M12 Integration project facilitates School-Based Traineeship programs aimed at year 11 students in local western Sydney schools that allows them to gain practical work skills and experience through paid employment.

The program is carried out one day a week during the school term, while students continue their regular schooling for the other four days. Trainees have the opportunity to learn basic on the job construction skills and tasks under close supervision.

By participating and completing the traineeship, students can obtain a nationally-recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification; Certificate II in civil construction, in addition to their Higher School Certificate (HSC).

The M7-M12 Integration project offers a variety of mentorship programs, providing participants with the chance to acquire practical knowledge and insights from experienced employees who possess the expertise they seek to achieve. These programs enable the transfer of knowledge and skills, offer guidance in a secure environment, and promote personal development by enhancing abilities and self-assurance. Programs have included:

• UTS Lucy Mentoring Program; The Lucy Mentoring Program connects women and gender diverse people studying engineering or technology at UTS to industry professionals, such as John Holland, for one-on-one mentoring.

• Grow Together Mentoring Program; A 6-month program designed to create a project specific platform that enables individuals to engage as mentors and mentees, facilitating their personal and professional growth.

• Cultivate Sponsorship Program; This program is designed to support high potential women in non-traditional roles to be sponsored by a member of the M7-M12 Integration Project’s senior leadership team over the course of 6 months.