Page 6 - Climate Control News magazine July-August 2022

News
Breaking through the gyprock ceiling
THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CULTURE TASKFORCE (CICT) HAS RECEIVED $20.2 MILLION FROM THE NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT TO TRIPLE THE NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKING IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
gap and ensure we have the skilled workforce required to deliver the government’s record $110.4 billion infrastructure pipeline."
CICT chair Gabrielle Trainor AO said con- struction is the most male dominated industry in Australia, as well as the widest pay gap of any industry.
She said the culture of the industry is one of the biggest turn-offs for women who are leaving the industry around 40 per cent faster than men.
“Increasing women involved in this sector will make the industry more productive and grow the economy.”
Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Ac- tive Transport Rob Stokes said that women currently make up about five per cent of the construction workforce and Infrastructure NSW would work closely with industry to reach the 2030 goal.
“Historic skills shortages coupled with the biggest infrastructure program our state has ever seen means there is no better time to sup- port more women to pursue a career in the con- struction industry,” Stokes said.
“This funding will go towards breaking down the cultural barriers that stop wom- en from considering a career in construc- tion and help them smash through the gy- prock ceiling.”
Minister for Women's Safety and the Preven- tion of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the government will work towards its 15 per cent goal by shifting the culture in construction and leading by example on its own worksites.
"Women employed in male-dominated en- vironments are at greater risk of sexual and gender harassment compared with the na- tional average, but this plan can help im- prove the experience of women in construc- tion,” she said.
TOP: The goal is to triple the number of women working in construction.
ABOVE (L-R): Minister for Infrastructure, Rob Stokes; Minister for Women’s Safety, Natalie Ward.
THE FUNDS WILL be used to address root cause cultural issues limiting the sustainability and productivity of the sector.
Announcing the funds, NSW treasurer Matt Kean said the government has a goal of 15 per cent women in construction by 2030, with a view towards reaching a more gender-balanced in- dustry into the future.
"The latest estimates show that skills short- ages in the Australian construction industry could top 105,000 workers by 2023," Kean said.
"Increasing the number of women in con- struction is essential to lower the gender pay
Incentives for apprentices, employers
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has launched new incentives for both apprentices and their em- ployers including $5,000 in training support pay- ments for welders and welding related fields.
The Australian Apprenticeships Priority List identifies priority occupations for the Australi- an Apprenticeships Incentive System which commenced 1 July 2022.
Refrigeration and air conditioning techni- cians are included in the priority list which was published by the National Skills Commission.
It identifies occupations classified by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) as either technicians or trade workers.
Employers receive a 10 per cent wage subsidy for
the first and second year of an eligible apprentice- ship, with a five per cent subsidy in the third year.
The apprentice is entitled to $5,000 in train- ing support payments in the first two years of their apprenticeship or $1,250 every six months to go towards the cost of living to ensure they can complete their training.
The apprentice should be undertaking a quali- fication at either Certificate III, IV, Diploma or Ad- vanced Diploma level leading to an occupation on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List.
The wage subsidy for employers is set at 10 per cent of the apprentice’s wages for the first and second year, up to a maximum of $1,500 per quarter and five per cent year three.
Thepaymentsareforoccupationsclassifi d as technicians or trade workers.
CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU
6