Mentoring program helps women build a future

Master Builders Australia has launched a bespoke mentoring program designed to support and boost the number of women in the building and construction industry.

The nine-month program is part of Master Builders’ Advancing Women in Building and Construction initiative, which is currently being rolled out throughout the country and will support women who are either currently working in building and construction or exploring industry training pathways.

“We want to encourage more women to work in the industry and to access training pathways to careers in the industry,” says Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia.
“A big part of that is about supporting them in their choice. We also need to ensure that the industry is prepared and willing to accept them.”

Wawn believes that recruiting men and women who are achievers in the industry and encouraging them to mentor like-minded women is a step in retaining more women in the industry.

Mentors will be drawn from experienced industry practitioners with a current supervisory role or who those own their own business. Mentees, meanwhile, will comprise women with up to five years’ experience working in the industry part or full time, completing an apprenticeship or in a pre-employment program.

According to research from Master Builders, women are attracted to careers in the construction industry but they often drop out during training or fail to go on and work in the industry even upon completion of their training.

“Advancing Women in Building and Construction, and the mentoring program in particular, will work to counter this trend by spurring industry leaders to support women starting out in building and construction so they are more resilient and able to realise their full potential,” Wawn adds.

For more information visit www.masterbuilders.com.au.