With work well underway on the Pakenham level crossing removal project, and new stations due to open later this year, this week the team celebrates International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March.
One quiet achiever on the Pakenham project is Site Supervisor Eliza King. Often working behind the scenes, Site Supervisors make sure that all the work crews across the 2.5km project footprint have everything they need to get the job done. They are problem solvers, think quickly on their feet and know everything that’s taking place on site on any given day.
Eliza believes in the power of working in a supportive team environment to achieve her goals. She worked her way up from the role of Environment Adviser to Senior Environment Adviser and has worked for the past 3 years as Site Supervisor.
‘When I was an Environment Adviser on a previous project, I had a Superintendent pull me aside and said to me ‘have you thought about supervising before?’ He opened my eyes that it was an opportunity I had not thought about before, so he gave me that courage to look at a role that I wasn’t necessarily experienced in. He really pushed me and here I am now.’
Construction is Australia’s number one most male-dominated industry with only 12% of the workforce identifying as female and with less than 2% of on-site roles occupied by women.
The Victorian Government has implemented the Building Equality Policy (BEP) to create training and employment opportunities for women through government procurement on building, infrastructure, civil engineering and any other capital works projects. It aims to create a more inclusive industry where everyone thrives as they feel safe, appreciated, respected, and valued.
Eliza is keen to share her experiences, knowledge and tips for women wanting to join the construction industry.
‘Ask questions and to be curious, talk to people around you. If you see someone in hi-vis, ask them a question. If you’re not sure, ask a manager, ask anyone. Any women that already work in construction will love to tell you how much they love their job and what all the opportunities are and where they can see themselves going, where they can see you going.’
2024 will be a huge year for the Pakenham project, with 3 level crossings to go from Racecourse Road, Main Street and McGregor Road and new stations to open at Pakenham and East Pakenham.
One benefit for anyone working in the construction industry is seeing the tangible change, especially across Melbourne, with 74 level crossings removed so far, 33 new stations built and a further five upgraded. Eliza agrees;
‘The thing I love about my job is that I can talk to my friends, I can talk to my family, and I can talk to my daughter about all the cool things that I do. I can drive past a bridge, or a station and she can already now say ‘did mummy build that?’ and I have created this environment for her where she knows she can be anything, do anything because she can see it happening.’
International Women’s Day is on 8 March, with this year’s theme Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.
