Women break ground in civil construction to create future opportunities in the workforce

TWELVE women from across the region have completed a pioneering civil construction training program in Ballina, marking an important step towards increasing female participation in the industry.

The group graduated from a six-month Certificate II in Civil Construction delivered at TAFE NSW Ballina in partnership with Ballina Shire Council and Complete Staff Solutions.

The course provided intensive, hands-on training designed to prepare students for entry-level roles in civil construction including operating machinery, using laser levels, concreting, compaction equipment, and learning workplace safety and measurement skills.

TAFE NSW Civil Construction teacher and assessor Josh Roach said the collaboration between the

groups was essential to establishing and delivering the program successfully.

“It’s been a really strong partnership with Ballina Shire Council and Complete Staff Solutions, and that support has been key to making this program happen,” he said.

“The women have done concreting, used machinery, laser levels, compactors and pretty much everything else you’d expect to encounter on a work site.

“There was one day out at the tip where they were out in the rain all day.”

“They’ve really had exposure to both the best and the toughest parts of the job.”

Among the graduates was Charlotte Hape, who is one of the youngest members of the group at just 17 years old. Originally hoping to take on a carpentry apprenticeship, she now plans to pursue a career in civil construction with ambitions of eventually running her own business.

“I was nervous at the start because I didn’t think I’d fit in,” Charlotte said.

“But we became a close group.

“There are 12 of us and we supported each other the whole way through.

“There’s nothing like this up the coast where I live, so I was driving every Friday to be part of it.

“I’ve loved learning about how structural foundations are laid and the capabilities of different construction materials.

“Not only has the program given me a better understanding of what a job in civil construction looks like but it’s helped me decide that I want to get my apprenticeship.”

As part of their training, students also met female professionals working in engineering, workplace health and safety and electrical trades at the council.

The program forms part of a broader effort to address the ongoing gender imbalance in civil construction, where women remain significantly underrepresented.

“Across NSW, women make up around 7 per cent of the civil construction workforce, and nationally it’s closer to 4 per cent,” Roach said.

“Programs like this are about changing that from the ground up.”

Ballina Shire Council’s coordinator for People and Culture, Katheryn Curnow, said the shire was supporting women into rewarding careers while also addressing the region’s future workforce needs.

“One of the biggest challenges in diversifying any industry is creating a pipeline of skilled women candidates,” she said.

“By bringing together training providers, industry partners and employers, we have designed a program where women receive the support, skills and real-world exposure needed to set them up for success in civil construction.

“Our aim is that this program will not only challenge outdated stereotypes but be part of an ongoing solution in the Northern Rivers region to build a stronger, more diverse and skilled workforce for the future.”