In the Australian workforce women have made major strides forward in every industry except construction. Although one of the largest industrial sectors and offering major employment, construction lags far behind other industries, and remains an almost exclusively male preserve.

While the number of working women increased from 0.8 million to 3.6 million over 50 years, only 13% of women work in the Australian construction and mining sectors, according to a study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Though the study dates from 1995, experts, who see little sign of change, are debating the reasons behind the current stalemate situation. 

Next-generation building might mean employing a woman on the tools or in heavy lifting. Anything is possible in this day and age. Women are lifting their weight, and more, with popular sports like CrossFit, and I can only see this trend growing.

My mission is to think about the future of construction by creating fairness within the industry, encouraging equal opportunity where rewards focus on quality and honest work, not just the systems that have been in place the longest.

We need to break through the noise and receive equal opportunity when quoting jobs, putting aside sex, race or any differences. It's about who will get the job done well.

See also:

Women in construction recognised at awards night