10 Apr 2024
In early April, Year 9 and 10 female and gender diverse students from four high schools across the ACT were treated to a special day out at the University of Canberra. Hosted by Property Council of Australia in collaboration with the Understanding Building and Construction Program (UBCP), the ‘ACT Girls in Property’ event showcased the relationship between the property and construction industries. Featuring activities led by industry professionals, as well as guided tours and plenty of opportunities to ask questions and learn from the best, the students received valuable insights into the property industry sector.
The students had no shortage of inspirational women to learn from. Guest speakers from the property sector included real estate specialists, a head of asset management, a structural engineer, and marketing and media professionals. Each of the speakers provided engaging observations about their respective fields, by calling upon their own personal experiences in the industry and the pathways they took to find employment.
Throughout the day students rotated between different industry-specific activities led by the guest speakers. These fun, engaging and educational activities provided all involved with the opportunity to speak directly with female leaders in the property industry to better understand the opportunities and pathways available.
After the activities finished, it was time for the students to receive a tour of the university campus, where they were able to get a taste of university campus life and see all the construction projects which were recently completed, as well as parts of the campus which are planned for construction. Safe to say some of the students with a strong interest in building and construction could imagine themselves working on these projects in the future.
The UBCP ‘Women in Construction’ program aims to open pathways to the building and construction industry for women and gender diverse students, while also challenging the stigma surrounding women working in this industry. Helping young people feel safe, valued and supported in the construction industry is one of the main goals of the UBCP, alongside opening their eyes to everything the construction industry has to offer in terms of roles and professions. From the planning phase to completing the final touches, and everything in between, the students are now more aware of the different types of jobs available in both the construction and property sectors.
To read more about the Understanding Building and Construction Program, visit Understanding Building and Construction Pilot Program.
