Making Way for Women in Construction on the West Gate Tunnel Project

Leigh Hardingham Social Procurement and Inclusion Manager The West Gate Tunnel has three components: • – connection of the M80 and to the southern portals of the tunnels, including connections to Grieve Parade, Millers Road, Williamstown Road, Hyde Street and the . • Twin tunnels – southern portals, which connect to the West Gate Freeway, and the northern portal, which connects to the new bridge over the . • Port, CityLink and city connections – connects from the north tunnel portal to the city and includes the Maribyrnong River crossing, connections to the Port of , elevated roads along Footscray Road, and connections to CityLink and the city, including the extension Imagining the Task

What we thought we could do: 20% female participation across our project 500 women with stretch target of 600 women

What we’ve done in 13 months: 664 women – 28.7% of project workforce • CPBJH JV - 256 women across 736 employees - 34.7% (staff roles) • Subcontractors – 408 women across 1575 people – 25.9% West Gate Women in Construction Committee

The purpose To identify and implement strategies and activities that: • Attract and retain women in roles on the project, both blue collar and white collar • Provide a culture of support for women on the project • Actively recognise and promote the achievements of women on the project • Enable greater female participation in non-traditional roles • Support the career progression of the existing female workforce • Educate and inform the project team on gender equity issues and reward positive behaviours Why it worked

• Not a problem for women to solve • Involved senior leadership • Project Director • Construction Director • General Superintendent • Commercial Director • HR Manager • Social Procurement and Inclusion Manager • Social Inclusion Snr Advisor • 2 representatives of our Design Consultants – AJJV

• Terms of Reference to stay focussed on what was important What we’ve done

Key areas in 2018 were: • Gender pay equity • Policies to support women returning to work after maternity leave • Exploring opportunities for job sharing • Forums to share ideas and provide learning • Regular reporting on female participation • Women’s diversity and social inclusion We’re just getting started

https://vimeo.com/293082721/4730b666d3 Social Inclusion

OUTCOME NUMBER GROUP COMMITMENT TO DATE OF WOMEN people living with disability 30 – 40 23 3 people seeking asylum 15 – 20 47 11 new migrants (less than 52 weeks) 20 – 30 141 27 Thinking differently

• Service Provider Network • Specific knowledge inside diversity • Referrals of people matching roles • Post placement support • Recognised as a trusted partner • Relationship based • Non traditional sources • Women survivors of family violence - trusted partner of McAuley Community Services for Women • Prison release – Dame Phyllis Frost Centre • Organisations that support refugees and recent arrivals • Veterans Subcontractors

• All commitments passed through to subcontractors • Commitments bound in contracts • Workforce Development • Social Inclusion - including women • Major Project Skills Guarantee • Monthly reports detailing progress • Provide support to identify candidates through our service provider network Other Factors

• Women change the workforce – we talk a lot about the cultural fit • The new norm • It starts with leadership • Don’t just talk about it, but when you do - change the narrative • Women in senior leadership • Today’s workforce, male and female, expect workplaces to match their values • Fairness • Equitable access to opportunities - clear career path • Respect for diversity Thank you