Women in Construction
CSQ has always championed the need to encourage more women into the industry as a key pillar of our long-standing Attract strategy.
We work closely with various industry bodies who share our vision for a more diverse construction workforce and organisations committed entirely to this purpose. For example, CSQ collaborates with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and Awesome Women in Construction (AWIC) to encourage more women to consider a career in construction.
CSQ also regularly reports on female participation rates in the industry, including whole-of-industry representation, women in trade roles, and female apprentices. These reports provide valuable insights into the current state of diversity in the construction industry and help identify areas where improvement is needed. We use this information to develop targeted initiatives and programs that aim to increase female participation in the industry.
To explore the latest published research, view the data chart packs and reports housed on the Knowledge Centre.
Queensland Women in Construction Strategy
The 2022 Queensland Training Ombudsman (QTO) Review of support provided to Qld apprentices and trainees, with a focus on female apprentices in male dominated occupations recommended that CSQ develop a Women in Construction Strategy.
In response, CSQ has committed to developing a strategy focusing on the key themes of ‘attract, recruit and retain’, that will work to improve the participation rate of women in construction in Queensland.
The strategy will also consider new ways to advocate for cultural change in the construction industry, to create a more appealing and supportive working environment for all individuals.
Communiques summarising the committee discussions from all strategy meetings can be viewed here.
Queensland Women in Construction Advisory Committee
CSQ’s first step has been to assemble a special purpose group to steer and champion the strategy – the Queensland Women in Construction Advisory Committee.
The committee will meet regularly to provide advice to CSQ on potential opportunities to support women’s participation in the industry; increase support for female apprentices; and increase awareness of the need for gender equality and the benefits of diversity in the workplace.
The committee is chaired by Ms Rian Kelso, Programs and Project Manager, Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employee Union Qld (PPTEU) and Director, Services Trades College Australia, and comprises representatives from a range of key stakeholder bodies and employers in the industry.
The full membership list for the committee is as follows:
| Role | Name | Organisation |
| Chair | Rian Kelso | PPTEU
Services Trades College Australia |
| Deputy Chair | Sean Cummiskey | Construction Skills Queensland |
| Member | Toni Bull | Housing Industry Association |
| Member | Rebecca Callow | Shadforth |
| Member | Jacqui Collie | CFMEU |
| Member | Geoff Favell | Queensland Training Ombudsman |
| Member | Sue-Ann Fresneda | Master Builders Queensland |
| Member | Loren Hickey | John Holland
IAQ |
| Member | Katie O’Malley | BESIX Watpac |
| Member | Damian O’Sullivan | Multiplex |
| Member | Glenn Robinson | Multiplex |
| Member | Stacey Ross | The Centre for Women & Co |
| Member | Sheree Taylor | BlueScope
NAWIC Qld |
