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: • West Gate Freeway – connection of the M80 and Princes Freeway to the southern portals of the tunnels, including connections to Grieve Parade, Millers Road, Williamstown Road, Hyde Street and the West Gate Bridge. • Twin tunnels – southern portals, which connect to the West Gate Freeway, and the northern portal, which connects to the new bridge over the Maribyrnong River. • 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 Melbourne, elevated roads along Footscray Road, and connections to CityLink and the city, including the Wurundjeri Way 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