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Tackle gender pay gap with more women in construction

tackle-gender-pay-gap-with-more-women-in-construction

In celebrating International Women’s Day Master Builders Australia is calling for more women to pursue careers in the building and construction industry to help tackle the gender pay gap.

“There is profound community concern about the gender pay gap. Getting more women into well-paying jobs in growing industries like building and construction has a big role in closing it,” Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said.

“Building and construction is the nation’s second largest industry and one of the highest paying.   It currently employs more than a million Australians but only 11 per cent of them are women,” she said.

“There are great opportunities for women to achieve financial security and independence through a wide range of careers in our industry now and in the future,” Denita Wawn said.

“On-site or off it, on the tools or in the office or, as is often the case both, women need to know that building and construction is an industry that will welcome them and where they can achieve both financially and in their careers,” she said.

“Master Builders is committed not just to talking but to achieving real change. Women Building Australia is an initiative to change perceptions and raising awareness so the industry can recruit, train and retain more women,” Denita Wawn said.

“We want our members businesses to benefit from the skills and aptitudes that women bring to building and construction workplaces,” she said.

“Master Builders has also launched a National Mentoring Program to support women in their choice of a construction industry career. It brings together women who are just starting out in their careers or are training to attain a building industry qualification,” Denita Wawn said.

“As an industry a key priority it is ensuring that we can provide the skills that young people need and that employers want. The Women Building Australia initiative is a great example of how industry can invest in the future of its workforce and help tackle the gender pay gap,” Denita Wawn said.

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