Women Explore Opportunities in Construction Careers Through New Campaign
)
The Australian Constructors Association (ACA), supported by funding from the NSW government, is challenging traditional gender roles within the construction industry with its ground-breaking It's Possible campaign.
A recent on-site visit to the $658 million Sydney Children’s Hospital Stage 1 and Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre project in Randwick provided 30 women with a first-hand glimpse into the industry, allowing them to interact with professionals and explore potential career paths.
Conducted by leading contractor John Holland, the tour showcased the industry's increasing inclusivity and diversity.
Participants had the chance to observe a range of roles, spanning from project management to engineering, and engage with key figures such as Project Director Lizzie Cox and site engineer Harriett Carroll, who are spearheading cultural transformations on-site.
In the words of Jayne Whitney, Chief Strategy Officer at John Holland, “These tours break down outdated stereotypes and show women they belong here.”
She further added, “The enthusiasm we’re seeing signals a shift — women are ready to embrace construction careers.”
This initiative is in alignment with the NSW government's Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program (ISLP) with a focus on women in construction, which has been trialling increased gender representation targets across eight Health Infrastructure projects.
At the Sydney Children’s Hospital redevelopment, women currently occupy almost 9 percent of non-traditional roles, surpassing the initial 7 percent target set during the trial period.
Leisa Rathborne, Acting CEO of Health Infrastructure NSW, highlighted the campaign's dual impact, affirming, “We’re not just building infrastructure — we’re creating purposeful careers. Initiatives like It’s Possible showcase how women can shape communities through construction.”
Jon Davies, CEO of ACA, acknowledged the growing interest in these tours, aimed at addressing the gender disparity within the industry (with only 12 percent female representation in the workforce nationally, and less than 2 percent in on-site roles).
Lizzie Cox emphasised the importance of diversity in driving innovation and enhancing workplace culture, drawing on her research on creating inclusive work environments.
With future tours planned across NSW, women are encouraged to register on the It's Possible website to explore the opportunities available.
Supported by the NSW government's $20.2 million Women in Construction Program, this campaign underscores a commitment to cultivating a workforce that mirrors the communities it serves.
The Sydney Children’s Hospital project is a collaborative effort between Health Infrastructure, John Holland, the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Children’s Cancer Institute, and UNSW Sydney.
Source: Build Australia
Melbourne Build is the leading and largest construction trade show for Melbourne and Victoria, taking place October 22nd & 23rd 2025 at MCEC. Featuring two jam-packed days of knowledge-sharing, 450+ expert speakers across 7 conference stages, a 300+ booth exhibition, Meet the Buyers, business networking, live music, entertainment and so much more! Don’t miss out on free tickets.