Author: Ashley Jones
Original Publication Date: Feb 4, 2020
Originally published in: The Queensland Times
The construction industry has been handed a major boost as not-for-profit Awesome Women in Construction (AWIC) has announced it will partner with TAFE Queensland.
The aim of the move is to introduce and highlight the sheer range of career opportunities awaiting young women looking to work in the construction industry.
Information sessions about possible career pathways will be held at the TAFE Queensland Ipswich Campus on 3rd March and the Toowoomba TAFE Campus on 10th March.
“We will have time between 3pm and 4pm to see hand-on trade work displays. From 4pm – 5pm, there will be a panel discussion”, AWIC founder Amanda Bulow said.
“Those attending will hear from people talking about career options. It will finish off with a question and answer time and a chance to talk”.
AWIC has brought together panel members for a discussion that includes representatives from designers, estimators, accountants, interior designers, administrators. Apprenticeship options will also be discussed.
“it seems that careers in the construction industry are seen somehow as a poor choice, lit it is the thing you do when you can’t get into other areas of work”, Ms Bulow said.
“This idea needs to stop; the construction industry is a career choice like anything else and a partnership further validates it”.
“We are targeting year 10 – 12 students”.
AWIC aims to provide a space for women in the construction industry to come together to learn, connect and share.
It achieves this via several means, one of them being this partnership. It is also the driving force behind the annual International Women’s Day lunch.
“The lunch will be held at the Glen Hotel, Eight Mile Plains on 6th March. It is already selling very well, it’s a great event”, Ms Bulow said.
AWIC holds monthly events as well as member events.
“AWIC is not a women’s club, we have a very strong advocacy role and partnerships like this one with TAFE is important for women and the construction industry”, she said.
Currently AWIC supports the work of Youngcare, which seeks to provide modern, accessible homes for young people living with disability.
The presentation will be held at TAFE Queensland Ipswich Campus on 3rd March, B Block, Corner of Mary & Byrne Streets Bundamba.
Registration is available from 2.30pm. The Toowoomba meeting on 10th March will be held at 100 Bridge Street, in the A Block theatre, registrations also from 2.30pm.
For more information, please go to www.awic.org.au
