Kapitol has partnered with Empowered Women In Trades (EWIT), a not-for-profit empowering women with the knowledge and skills to join the Australian construction industry, in a bid to sustainably increase female participation over the next five years.
In partnering with EWIT, Kapitol seeks to counteract the dwindling numbers of women joining the male-dominated construction sector and bolster a new wave of females entering the industry.
Research by National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows a decline of 6.3% in the number of women completing a trade since 2020, with women only making up 2.5% of tradespeople and only 12% in the wider industry.
This creates a major issue for the sector in the face of the government’s new quotas which require women to make up 3% of tradespeople, 7% of non-trade positions and 35% in managerial positions across government projects by 2024.
To address this decrease, and to stimulate a pipeline of future talent to the sector, Kapitol and EWIT will engage with multiple Victorian schools to educate females on the opportunities both as trades and within the construction industry.
Further to educating female students, EWIT and Kapitol will take female workshop participants aged often between 18 and 50, to Kapitol’s building sites and introduce them to the various roles that comprise a construction organisation, as well as host skills workshops and networking events.
Kapitol co-founder and director, David Caputo is thrilled to work alongside EWIT to educate and support women about the opportunities within the construction industry.
“Kapitol is very excited about this partnership with EWIT. We see a strong alignment in our values of moving the industry forward and challenging the status quo to establish a better future for the industry.
“Construction and trades can be great jobs to work in, particularly in terms of flexibility and remuneration, but unfortunately that has not been the experience for many women, who remain in the minority.
“Partnering with EWIT is a step in the right direction whereby we can make an impact in fully supporting women to enter into this industry and most importantly – stay here and make it better,” Mr Caputo said.
EWIT was founded by Hacia Atherton, a CPA-qualified accountant, who fell in love with welding at the age of 29 despite warnings from male relatives working in trades that these industries were a poor fit for women. Hacia’s lived experience set her on a mission to change old stereotypes and instead, empower women in skilled trades.
“Coming from a family with a long history working in the construction industry, I can say first-hand that while the technology and innovation of physical buildings have evolved – attitudes towards women have not.
“When choosing vocational degrees, many females do not consider working a trade, I know I certainly hadn’t – and so part of our skills workshops is unpacking the unconscious bias that we’ve all inherited that might be holding women back,” said Ms Atherton.
Working a trade can also offer women flexibility whereby they can take extended periods of absence to have children for example, due to minimal upkeep required to maintain the position they held prior. This differs from Ms Atherton who would have to continue earning the yearly requirements to maintain her CPA should she want to take time off to have children.
“The benefits of having women on site are just as important for men as they are for women. We’ve seen first-hand the role that women can play in facilitating open communication lines, tackling confrontation and increasing vulnerability on-site.”
The partnership is a major milestone in Kapitol’s bid to effect positive change and establish a gender-diverse workforce throughout all facets of the wider construction industry.
Kapitol has been recently recognised for its workplace culture, named the #1 Wrk+ Best Place to Work in 2022, with over 40% female current graduate intake and initiatives like cross-gender mentoring.
People and Culture Manager for Kapitol, Alice Hanna, recognised that females first and foremost must be attracted to the industry.
“One of our main goals is not only to support females entering the construction industry today but to support and educate those that will join in 5- or 10-years’ time.
“By partnering with EWIT, Kapitol is investing in the longevity of the industry. Research by McKinsey & Co highlights the benefits of having a diverse workforce, which can result in up to 25% better team performance, and this is something we take very seriously at Kapitol,” said Ms Hanna.
