Empowering future builders: Building Engineering’s women in construction pilot at St Columba’s College

Building Engineering is proud to announce the launch of our women in construction initiative, recently kicked off at St Columba’s College, an all-girls school in Essendon. This program aims to inspire and educate young women about the diverse and rewarding career opportunities available in the construction industry.

As the head contractor for the college’s Foxford Innovation Centre, we recognised a unique opportunity to connect with the next generation of potential builders and engineers. A team of passionate and accomplished women from Building Engineering delivered an inspiring presentation to the students. They shared their personal journeys, dispelled common stereotypes, and highlighted the variety of roles women can pursue within the construction field.

To amplify the impact of our initiative, we developed an engaging marketing video that captures the essence of the presentation and the subsequent site visit to the Foxford Innovation Centre. The video is designed to raise awareness and serve as a blueprint for rolling out this program in other schools.

The feedback from St Columba’s was overwhelmingly positive. Students and staff alike were moved by the presentation, as illustrated by a heartfelt message from one parent, shared with the school principal:

“I wanted to share some feedback from today’s guest speaker event attended by my daughter. The event, presented by Building Engineering, was very impactful, and my daughter thought it was a great session. It shed light on the important roles females play within the organisation (and industry), particularly in helping build the new area of St. Columba’s. My daughter mentioned that the session had a positive and energetic atmosphere, and it seemed like everyone who attended found it valuable. Please extend our thanks to Building Engineering for organising such a worthwhile event.”

This message reinforces the positive reception and the value such initiatives bring to both students and parents. Our goal was to provide clear, factual information and real-world examples that challenge outdated beliefs about the construction industry. By highlighting the success stories of women thriving in various roles, we aimed to broaden the horizons of many young minds, paving the way for future construction professionals.

Building Engineering is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the industry. By engaging with schools and communities, we aim to inspire the next generation to consider careers in this dynamic and essential field. Through authentic storytelling and a compelling narrative, we successfully showcased the reality and potential of women in construction.