Careers program targets young women in Western Australia to help address skills shortage

The female-only career conversations program launch comes as Australia faces ongoing skills shortages across the infrastructure and building sector. Just 13.4% of the construction workforce in Australia are women, while Western Australia has one of the lowest rates of female engineers at roughly 13%.

UNIQ You aims to increase these rates by connecting girls in Years 9-12 with women already working in male-dominated industries, so subject choices and career pathways are informed by lived experience, not stereotypes.

The program offers one-on-one mentoring and group conversations with nominated ‘Industry Advisors,’ working at companies like BMD Group, who can have real conversations about working the construction and engineering industry.

BMD has supported UNIQ You since 2021 as a founding partner, nominating employees as advisors to help the program rollout across Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

Under the expanded partnership, supported by 20 BMD Advisors across the country, the program is expected to reach over 4,000 female students, and 150 schools.

“At BMD, we know the future of our industry depends on attracting people with different skills, experiences and perspectives,” said Jeff Gallus, Executive General Manager, BMD Constructions.

“We’re backing a proven program that builds confidence and career visibility for girls, while helping industry address skills shortages and create a more inclusive workforce pipeline.

“Introducing the next generation of women to engineering and construction in year 9 is critical, opening opportunities to experience the industry, before they choose their subjects for the Certificate of Education.

“This partnership is helping inspire young women to enrol in vocational education and bolster female participation across trades and STEM related industries.”

BMD and UNIQ You will also co-design and deliver a new First Nations Initiative to increase the representation and participation of First Nations women within construction, strengthening culturally relevant role modelling and expanding engagement in regional and remote communities.

“You can’t be what you can’t see,” said Val Ridley, CEO of UNIQ You.

“When girls have a real conversation with a woman working in engineering or construction, it expands what feels possible and that can change subject choices, study pathways and ultimately workforce participation.

“Nationally and in Western Australia, our ambition is to help fundamentally change what the future workforce looks like by working with key industry partners to support growth and create real, visible pathways, particularly for young women across metropolitan and regional communities.”

Image details L-R: Jeff Gallus, Executive General Manager - BMD Constructions, BMD; Hon Hannah Beazley BA MLA, Minister for Local Government, Disability Services, Volunteering, Youth, Gascoyne; Val Ridley, CEO and Executive Director, UNIQ You; Matt Lee, Board Non-Executive Director, UNIQ You; Katie O'Malley, General Manager Corporate Affairs, BMD.