Surveyor set to upskill

A PROGRAM aimed at increasing the number of women involved in the construction sector will see one Golden Plains Shire staff member receive upskilling opportunities.

Assistant building surveyor Julie Harris is one of 40 women in Victoria to take part in the Women Building Surveyors Program.

She’s set to benefit from $150,000 of State Government money that will go towards completing a bachelor of building surveying, and also provide backfill staffing while she’s studying.

“I am thrilled and grateful to be able to take part in the Women Building Surveyors Program and further build my skills and experience as a municipal building surveyor,” Ms Harris said.

“In my ten years in the industry, I have often found myself as the only woman at gatherings of building surveyors.

“It’s great to see a program… actively tackling this lack of diversity in our sector through supporting and encouraging more women to pursue a career as a building surveyor.”

Currently the Shire engages a surveyor one day a week with the assistant role working full time hours. Once she’s completed her study Mr Harris could move into the main job.

Mayor Cr Helena Kirby welcomed Ms Harris’, and the municipality’s, inclusion in the scheme.

“This program is all about tackling gender inequality in the building sector, and council is happy to play a role through participating,” she said.

“This will not only benefit our employee and council through allowing us to provide a job opportunity to a new Assistant Building Surveyor, but make a difference to our community through increasing council’s capacity to deal with and process building permits, investigations and enquiries.”