Paving the way for women in construction
It’s Women in Construction Week!
2-8 March 2025 is Women in Construction Week – celebrating and promoting the role of women in the construction industry. In recognition, we spoke to women students at the beginning of their construction careers.
More women in construction will benefit everyone in the industry – and the community.
In 2023, women made up 15 per cent of the Australian building and construction workforce. However, only about three percent were on the tools.
Holmesglen Institute, a leading provider of vocational and higher education, is paving the way with a women-only construction course designed to inspire women to a career in construction. Hear all about the students’ recent visit to one of the Victorian Health Building Authority’s busy construction sites.
A construction course exclusively for women
The Certificate II in Construction Pathways, offered by Holmesglen Institute, is designed for women aspiring to pursue trade careers traditionally dominated by men. The course offers a unique opportunity to explore various trade skills like carpentry, joinery, and general construction.
Kell Herbert, teacher, Certificate II in Construction Pathways‘The feedback we get is that the students feel more comfortable being in a class with all women. They feel they can try the new tasks and that it is a comfortable environment for them to learn in. They all work so well together and are always helping one another.’
A key focus for the women taking the course is to gain exposure to the many careers available in construction – including services trades, site supervision and management.
For Certificate II in Construction Pathways students Emma Angstmann and Pearl Renehan, taking the course helped them to get a sense of the options available.
‘I took the course to get a feel for what the construction industry can include and what trade I enjoyed the most. This helped me decide on what type of apprenticeship I would like to take on,’ says Pearl.
Emma had a strong interest in getting into the trades but wasn't sure where to begin.
Emma Angstmann, Certificate II in Construction Pathways student 2024‘The course was a perfect introduction. I felt encouraged to ask questions, try new things, and push myself beyond my comfort zone. The camaraderie and shared experiences with other women pursuing similar goals created a strong sense of community and motivation.’
Stepping onto one of VHBA’s busy construction sites
As part of the course, Holmesglen Institute has partnered with Icon, our builder on the Kingston Centre residential aged care facility project, to take the students behind the scenes and see one of our construction sites in action.
The Kingston Centre residential aged care facility construction site in 2024
The students are hosted for a half-day site visit.
Sophia Motamed, Principal Project Manager, Delivery, Victorian Health Building Authority‘The Kingston Centre residential aged care facility project not only serves as a valuable asset for the community but has also provided an educational opportunity for students from the women-only Certificate II in Construction Pathways, in partnership between Icon and Holmesglen.’
