Abstract
Construction is traditionally a male industry. Women have long had difficulties entering or advancing their career in construction. Evidence shows that a diversified workforce with gender balance will bring about higher levels of productivity. Despite the importance of this issue, there have been limited studies on women’s career development in construction. This study aims to investigate women’s career development in the Australian construction industry, with objectives to evaluate the challenges and success factors of women’s career development in the construction industry and provide strategies for narrowing the gender imbalance. A mixed approach of questionnaire survey and interview were conducted with female practitioners in the construction industry. Forty-three completed questionnaires were received and 10 interviews were conducted. Stress, family-work balance, and negative perception towards women in construction were the top three challenges identified. Dedication, determination, and independence were the top three success factors of women in construction. This study recommends construction employers consider providing personal development programs and flexible working arrangement for their female employees. Significance of this study lies on contributing to understanding women’s career development in construction. Findings will be useful for government and professional institutions to promulgate strategies for advancing women’s career development in construction.
Highlights
Construction is the third largest industry in Australia, employing 1,055,200 construction workers which accounted for 9.1% of total employment in February 2015 (Australian Government Department of Employment 2016)
According to the Australian Government Department of Gender Equality Agency, 5.6% of women working in the construction industry were underemployed (WGEAgovau, 2016), referring to the situation where a person is working fewer hours when they are willing and available to work for more hours
This paper aims to evaluate the challenges that women face in the Australian construction industry; to evaluate the success factors for women to advance their career in the Australian construction industry; and to evaluate the existing strategies for better women’s career development in the Australian construction industry
Summary
Construction is the third largest industry in Australia, employing 1,055,200 construction workers which accounted for 9.1% of total employment in February 2015 (Australian Government Department of Employment 2016). As of February 2015, only 11.1% of the workforce in the construction industry was female, with 5.3% employed full time and the remaining 5.8% part-time (Australian Government Department of Employment, 2016). Women leave the construction industry at a rate almost 40% higher than men (Prime Minister of Australia, 2016). According to the Australian Government Department of Gender Equality Agency, 5.6% of women working in the construction industry were underemployed (WGEAgovau, 2016), referring to the situation where a person is working fewer hours when they are willing and available to work for more hours. There is an underrepresentation and under-recognition of women in construction
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