The skilled trades industry in Australia faces significant challenges that threaten its long-term viability and success.
Among the most pressing issues are severe skill shortages, low female representation and a culture that often lacks inclusivity and support. These problems both hinder the growth of the industry and impose substantial costs on businesses.
Another major issue beyond the skill shortages and low female representation is the prevalence of a counterproductive organisational culture.
The key issues
1. Skill Shortages:
The construction sector is experiencing a critical shortage of skilled labour. According to the National Skills Commission, several trades are listed among the top 20 occupations with the highest skill shortages in Australia. This shortage is exacerbated by an aging workforce and insufficient training pathways for new entrants, coupled with a lack of interest among younger generations. This leads to project delays, increased labour costs and reduced productivity, ultimately affecting the profitability and efficiency of businesses within the industry.
2. Low Female Representation:
Women constitute only about 3% of the total workforce in skilled trades. This stark gender disparity limits the industry’s talent pool and perpetuates the stereotyping that trades are not suitable for women. This low female representation also means that many women miss out on the secure and well-paying career opportunities that the trades industry can offer. The lack of encouragement for women to enter trades from a young age contributes to this inequality, and female and non-binary tradespeople often face barriers such as gender bias, limited career advancement opportunities and a lack of role models in the industry to inspire them.
3. Counterproductive Organisational Culture:
A 2020 survey by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) revealed that 75 percent of women in the industry had experienced gender-based adversity. Many trades industries struggle with poor organisational culture, including gender-based adversity, lack of diversity and inadequate support for employees’ well-being. This toxic and unwelcoming culture is counterproductive to a healthy workplace environment and not only drives talented individuals away from the workforce, it also impacts the overall productivity and job satisfaction. These issues in the workplace range from discrimination and harassment, to a lack of mentorship and career development opportunities. Creating a more inclusive and supportive culture is essential for producing skilled workers.
The Cost to Businesses
The financial implications of these issues are profound. Skill shortages lead to project delays, increased labour costs and reduced competitiveness. The exclusion of women from the workforce means that businesses are not tapping into the beneficial resource of a diverse talent pool – a resource which studies have shown can enhance creativity, problem-solving and profitability. Additionally, poor organisational culture can result in high turnover rates, increased absenteeism and a damaged reputation, all of which are costly for a business.
A valuable solution – the EWIT Alliance
The EWIT Alliance provides a valuable solution to the key issues currently facing the skilled trades industry. Recognising these challenges, Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) has established the EWIT Alliance. This initiative aims to increase female representation in skilled trades to 30 per cent by 2030. The Alliance brings together a community of like-minded organisations committed to championing diversity and inclusion within the industry.
Why the EWIT Alliance?
Collaborative Effort: Achieving the ambitious goal of 30 per cent female representation requires a collective effort. The EWIT Alliance embodies the spirit of “it takes a village”; fostering collaboration among businesses, educational institutions and advocacy groups to work toward this ambitious and urgently needed goal of increasing female entrants into the trades.
Support and Resources: Members of the Alliance gain access to valuable resources, including training programs, mentorship opportunities and networking events designed to support women in trades.
Improved Organisational Culture: By promoting diversity and inclusion, the Alliance assists in creating a more positive and supportive workplace culture. This transformation can lead to higher job satisfaction, lower turnover rates and enhanced productivity.
Join the Movement
The EWIT Alliance is far more than just another membership program; it is a movement to reshape the future of skilled trades. By becoming a member, organisations can contribute to meaningful change, address critical industry challenges and reap the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce.
To support the goal of achieving 30 per cent female representation in trades by 2030, EWIT has now launched the weekly Empowered Women in Trades podcast series, to shine the spotlight on remarkable organisations and individuals, who are passionately working towards increasing female representation in the industry. The aim of the EWIT Podcast is to share solutions for the many issues facing females in skilled trades, and to assist in fast-tracking the evolution of the trades into a thriving industry that embraces and respects the value of diversity in the workplace. This evolution is essential for the industry to successfully handle the ever-increasing pressures of demand and supply of skilled trades people over the next decade and beyond.
Together, we can build a better, brighter and more equitable future for the trades industry.
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The Empowered Women in Trades podcast series has new episodes dropping every Monday morning here.
August guests include: Graz van Egmond, CEO Banksia Foundation, Jonno McCartney Managing Director of McCartney Electrical Solutions, Narelle Warren Managing Director Brushwood Fencing Australia P/L, and Jamie Monro, Director of Handy People Co.