Sisters Jessica Kennedy and Madalyn Crabtree are two of the many women who have found careers in construction and will be recognised as part of Women in Construction Week. Photo: Supplied.
Major infrastructure leaders have come together for a special event at Charles Sturt University to celebrate the increasing role that women are playing in the construction industry.
The event, held on 6 March, was officially opened by NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan and featured key figures from the construction industry including employees from Snowy Hydro 2.0, Inland Rail, Martinus and the Riverina Redevelopment Joint Venture.
Transgrid Executive General Manager, Corporate & Stakeholder Affairs, Maryanne Graham was among the leaders who attended the event and said she was delighted to attend and celebrate developing career pathways for women in construction.
“We are thrilled to be able to showcase the remarkable contribution women are already making to major infrastructure projects across the Riverina-Murray,” she said.
“While we still have work to do, women now represent 27 per cent of our [Transgrid’s] workforce – an increase of 10 per cent in the last five years – and we have complete gender balance in our executive team.
“Our nation-critical transmission projects EnergyConnect and HumeLink are creating up to 3100 jobs, providing real opportunities for women to enter the energy and construction industries and increase female representation in traditionally male-dominated roles.
“For women, construction offers enormous opportunities for employment and career development, and collectively we look forward to welcoming more women into our workforce as we build key infrastructure across the Riverina-Murray region and beyond.”
Ms Graham said that a diverse workforce had proven to provide better outcomes for people and businesses and led to better decision-making and innovation.
Transgrid Delivery Manager Stephanie Puttock, who joined the network as an apprentice electrical fitter in 2013 and now holds a key management role in the property team shared her experiences of success and challenges at the event.
“When I initially joined the Transgrid substations team, I was the only female apprentice based in Wagga,” Ms Puttock said.
“Today we all enjoy an inclusive, diverse and family-friendly workplace and it’s great to play a part in the nation’s clean energy transition.
“Transgrid is consciously working to improve gender equity outcomes, with strategies and initiatives to drive change and provide genuine pathways for all of our people.”
The breakfast at Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga Convention Centre was held in conjunction with Women in Construction Week (4-10 March) and International Women’s Day (8 March).
Loading ...
