Choose boldly, train boldly, hire boldly. That is the message to construction sector employers from a campaign aimed at boosting the number of Kiwi women entering the trades.
Just over six percent of BCITO-trained apprentices are female. And, although this number has grown from less than one percent in 2015, the vocational training provider aims to raise this figure to 10 percent by December next year.
Through focusing on addressing ongoing misperceptions about women’s ability to take on physical trades jobs, BCITO launched its ‘Hire Boldly’ campaign in early June.
"Despite the recent slowdown in resource consents and the pipeline of work for New Zealand's building industry, it's vital to ensure we have healthy numbers of new people entering the construction industry and building skills for the future,” says Greg Durkin, Director at BCITO.
“Encouraging more women into the workforce is not only a matter of equality but a strategic move to strengthen our industry's resilience. Employers play a critical role in shaping the future of construction.”
He says reaching this goal will signal the industry is moving forward and considering people based on skills and ability for the role, not gender. In the painting industry, 24 percent of BCITO apprentices are female, for example, and it is no longer unusual to see a woman at the business end of a spray gun, brush, or roller.
In a 2021 report for the Women in Trades Collective, part of industry initiative Trade Careers, almost half of respondents to the employer survey (48 percent) agreed that hiring and supporting women tradespeople was a challenge because it would be hard to accommodate pregnant women in the workplace. Forty-six percent also said they would find it difficult to hire women because the workplace can be physically challenging.
Women looking for work, cited receiving questions from potential employers such as, ‘You realise there is dirt involved in this job?’, or the outright statement ‘We’re looking for a male.’
Examples such as the BuildHERS project in Whenuapai - a four-bedroom home project-managed and built entirely by a female crew - demonstrate how outdated or misinformed these old perceptions are.
“Women can do anything their male colleagues can do, and that’s what we hope to educate more employers about, to help the whole sector reach a goal of 30 percent female representation by 2040,” Durkin says.
Employing more women in construction brings numerous benefits, he says. “By encouraging more women to join the workforce, employers can tap into a broader talent pool. A diverse workforce also brings varied perspectives, leading to innovative solutions and improved problem-solving. Women can offer new ideas and approaches that benefit the entire industry.”
Companies known for their commitment to diversity and inclusion often enjoy a better reputation, which can attract top talent and improve relationships with clients and partners. Meanwhile, more inclusive workplaces also tend to have higher employee satisfaction and retention rates.
To accompany the campaign, BCITO has created videos telling the stories of fathers, uncles, grandfathers, and brothers who have not just hired women in trades but have seen positive changes within their businesses.
“The women and the men bounce off each other in ways that enhance the job. It’s been fabulous for us. In fact, we’ve become quite successful through it,” says Maria Williams, co-owner of family business Kevin Paul Painters and Decorators, which also employs daughter Lonae Paul as part of a diverse crew.
Many like Kevin and Maria, also share why their trade is a good career for their female family members. “We’re calling on all building and construction employers to watch and share these videos, and actively participate in fostering a more inclusive trades industry by considering female apprenticeships,” Durkin says.
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