Rebecca Casson
Chairperson, Building Industry Consultative Council
Victorian Government
08:15
Registration and welcome coffee
08:50
Opening remarks from the Chair
THE FUTURE OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
09:00
The future of women in construction: challenges, opportunities and changing the status quo
- Facing up to the challenge – supply, demand and retention
- A woman’s place? Characteristics, trends and lived experiences
- A practical toolkit for change
Lisa Martello
Director – Infrastructure Delivery | Board Director & Chair of National Diversity & Inclusion Portfolio
HKA | NAWIC
PRACTICAL STRATEGIES TO INCREASE DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
09:30
PANEL DISCUSSION: How can we realistically drive change, improve diversity & strengthen our teams & organisations?
- What policies can be implemented to offer real, equal opportunities for women?
- What hiring practices can eliminate discrimination and unconscious bias in recruitment?
- How can training, apprenticeships & mentor programs advance women in their careers?
- What support mechanisms & reporting processes can mitigate harassment and discrimination?
Moderator:
Amy Williams
Head of Partnerships and Strategic Growth
Growthbuilt
Panellists:
Eliza Newton
National Communications Manager
Bouygues Construction Australia
Mei Doery
Project Manager
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Louise Neville
Community Relations Manager
Daracon Group
Naomi Heritage
Executive General Manager, Asset Operations & Sustainment
McMahon Services
Emily Lowden
Head of People & Culture
BG&E Engineering
10:20
Morning tea
10:50
Leveraging diverse teams for enhanced business outcomes and growth
- Unlocking the practical, analytical and creative potential of diverse teams
- Leveraging the strengths of varied personalities, perspectives & mindsets
- Ensuring team members learn from each other to become more agile and effective
- Building the capability and competence of teams across the enterprise
Nicholle Sparkes
Property and Construction Executive
11:20
Building success: navigating the uncharted pathways of a nonlinear construction career
- How to turn your adversities into strengths
- How to use your ‘why’ to help you find fulfilment in your career and beyond
- How to leverage connections and sponsorship to grow
Teeshal Bal
Head of Metro Tunnel Transition Office
Metro Trains Melbourne
11:50
Unlocking your full potential through the power of mentorship
- Why role models are so important – “you can’t be what you can’t see”
- Harnessing the benefits of internal and external mentorship programs
- Utilising the value of diversity and inclusion to elevate mentorship initiatives
- Strengthening your operations by investing in the strength of your people
Lyn O’Brien
WA State Manager | Director
ADCO Constructions | NAWIC
12:20
Internal solutions: bridging the labour & skills gap by building skillsets & strengthening your team
- Implementing training programs and apprenticeships to upskill and reskill workers
- Ensuring your team has the necessary skills to meet industry demands
- Harnessing the benefits of internal and external mentorship programs
- Investing in the strength of your people to strengthen your operations
Pilar Gomez
Human Resources Director
Acciona Australia
12:50
Networking Lunch
SOLVING THE LABOUR & SKILLS SHORTAGE: ATTRACT, RECRUIT, RETAIN
13:50
External solutions: finding the people you need by revolutionising the recruitment process
- Using targeted recruitment strategies to attract diverse talent
- Partnering with educational institutions & offering apprenticeships, internships & scholarships
- Modifying job descriptions with gender-neutral language to focus on skills & qualifications
- Utilising diverse interview panels or blind interview practices
Sarah Smith
People and Culture Business Partner
Growthbuilt
14:20
Exploring government and industry initiatives to attract more women into construction
- Exploring the NSW Government’s Women in Construction program
- Getting the right information to girls in schools about opportunities and career paths
- Promoting and encouraging diversity on sites
Margot Brassil
Director – Strategy
Infrastructure NSW
Gail Silman
Director, Infrastructure Skills and Diversity
NSW Department of Education
14:50
Transforming lives through inclusion, diversity and equity
- Strategic approach to embedding inclusion into the way we work
- Contributing to broader social outcomes
- Utilising Employee Resource Groups to influence our outcomes
- Changing our current ways of working by engaging hearts and minds
- Establishing accountabilities, targets and measuring success
Deborah Cownley
Group Manager, Strategy Management
John Holland
15:20
Afternoon Tea
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES FACING WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY
15:50
Creating and enforcing policies to prevent sexual harassment in construction
- Creating & nurturing a zero-tolerance policy & culture
- Creating an accessible complaints and reporting framework
- Keeping complaints confidential to the extent possible
- Preventing retaliation
- Publicising policies and training employees on them
- Creating a robust investigation framework and taking appropriate remedial action
Dr Niki Vincent
Commissioner for Gender Equality in the Public Sector
Victorian Government
16:30
The importance of prioritising mental health, safety and wellbeing to increase work efficiency
- Examining how poor mental health leads to physical safety issues, poor performance and decreased productivity
- Providing access to support systems and resources
- Promoting mental health awareness and training
- Promoting an open and supportive culture where mental health issues can be addressed
Danielle Buckland
National HSE Manager
Mirvac
17:00
Closing comments from the Chair
17:05
End of Women in Construction Summit Day 1
17:15
Networking Drinks
18:30
Official Event Dinner
Venue: Rivers Edge Events
Address: 18-38 Siddeley St, Melbourne Victoria 3005 or click here