Tara Moriarty
Minister for Agriculture
Minister for Regional New South Wales
Minister for Western New South Wales

Steve Whan
Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education

Jodie Harrison
Minister for Women
Minister for Seniors
Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

MEDIA RELEASE

Women in Construction event to build on opportunities

Tuesday, 5 March 2024

Women working in the Riverina-Murray construction industry are building on opportunities to learn and grow together while exploring the significant infrastructure projects planned for the region during Women in Construction and NSW Women's Week.

More than 100 people are expected to attend the Women in Construction networking breakfast in Wagga Wagga on 6 March, which will explore employment and training opportunities and identify pathways to help enhance and grow the industry.

Facilitated by the Department of Regional NSW with Training Services NSW Riverina, the event aims to foster strong relationships and support systems for women working within the industry by sharing the insights and experiences of those on the frontline of the region's major projects. 

Representatives from five major infrastructure developments in the region - Inland Rail, Transgrid projects Humelink and Project Energy Connect, Riverina Redevelopment Joint Venture, and Snowy 2.0 - will provide insights about the significant contributions women have made to those projects. 

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

"There are a lot of passionate women working in construction across NSW and this event is a great opportunity to help grow their industry network, share information, and collaborate on some of the big projects beginning or already underway in the Riverina-Murray region.

"Hearing the experiences of women who have been there, done that, and forged a solid path into the construction industry will no doubt inspire the next generation of women in construction in NSW."

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:

"Attendees are coming from as far as Queensland and Victoria to attend this event to hear the lived experiences of women already working in construction and highlight the pathways for school students and job seekers to enter the industry. 

"The construction industry estimates that 13 per cent of its current workforce are women, with this number expected to grow over the next five years.

"With an unprecedented $20 billion allocated to infrastructure projects in the Riverina Murray region of Southern NSW, we hope to encourage more women to enter the industry and help deliver these projects."

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

"NSW Women's Week is a time to celebrate the achievements of women across our state, but it's also important to redouble our efforts to improve gender equality.

"The NSW Government is committed to reducing gender segregation of occupations and industries, and encouraging women into construction and making it a more inclusive sector is one way we are doing that. 

"Events like this one are key to providing women with opportunities to network and learn from each other and consider various career pathways available to them in the industry."

Riverina Redevelopment Join Venture Senior Design Manage Katie Malvaso said:

"As a woman in construction, I have embraced breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and proving I belong in this field as my authentic self.

"I have relished the opportunity to balance the 'harder' technical skills with 'softer' skills including communication, effective collaborations, and attention to detail, brining diversity to teams, and promoting a positive representation of women in the industry."