Ride to Give smashes its goal
Fifty cyclists, 485 kilometres, $534,000 raised for charity. FDC’s 2023 Ride to Give charity bike ride has made as big an impact as ever.
February 1st, 2024
Women in Construction Movement
Construction is one of the most male-dominated industries in the world, and there has long been a need for progressive change. Enter FDC’s new initiative, Women in Construction Movement, which is actively empowering women to find fulfilling careers in construction. Research shows that a diverse workforce fosters creativity, innovation, improved problem-solving and leads to more informed decisions and superior outcomes.
The Women in Construction Movement encompasses a wide variety of initiatives including presenting construction as a viable career option to young women, mentorship programs, training and workshops that address issues like unconscious bias, promoting gender equality, providing women with the tools and knowledge to advance in their careers, and networking events that give women the platform to connect, share, and establish themselves in the sector.
Women in Construction Program Manager, Kerstin Hartmann, has seen the positive impact of this firsthand. The landscape is shifting as female participation increases and construction becomes a viable—and successful—career path for women. “Of course we recognise there are still challenges to overcome, but we know the industry will be stronger and better with more women in the workforce,” she says. “We’re not just talking about change, we’re actively implementing it. The Women in Construction Movement demonstrates that by elevating women, the entire industry benefits.”
This is something that Sophie Ung, Fitout & Refurbishment Project Coordinator, has seen firsthand since she started with FDC as a Contracts Administrator, two-and-a-half years ago.
“I was lucky during uni to be exposed to career awareness initiatives on campus that gave me insight into the opportunities available for women in male-dominated industries. There are so many pathways you can take and it opened my eyes to the incredible possibilities available to women,” she says. “I’m happy to say that I have seen perceptions shifting over the last few years. I’m seeing more women working onsite as leading hands, traffic controllers, doing their apprenticeships. It’s a positive change, which makes me feel good. It all has to do with perception. When you see more women in leadership positions, who are equally passionate about getting more women involved, then they become the springboard for more conversations at the level that’s going to make a difference.”
And if you’re a woman considering a career in construction, there’s no time like the present to take that first step—something FDC Contracts Administrator, Brittany Wells, can attest to. “If you're willing to put in the work and it’s something that you're passionate about, there are so many opportunities and pathways to success. Women may be a minority in the industry, but I see this as a strength. We bring value and new ways of thinking, and now is the perfect time to make an impact.”
Learn more about the Women in Construction Movement, events and community involvement here: thewmovement.org
Image credit: Toby Peet
