Women working in trades, construction. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
Amid a skills shortage, there's concern more needs to be done to increase the number of women working in construction.
As of mid last year, 2.6% of building roles and 8% of trade and technical roles within infrastructure sectors are held by women. Coming down the pipe-line, women were awarded 15% of construction and infrastructure apprenticeships.
A recent survey showed 60% of women spoken to expressed an interest in entering the trades, while 79% of trade employers said they'd like to hire more women.
But, advocates say, barriers remain connecting willing women workers with employers, and that women need to be made to feel welcome in a male-dominated workplace.
Erica Cumming is Acting General Manager of Partnerships and Equity at Waihanga Ara Rau, the workforce development council, supporting women in trades, construction and infrastructure.
