Women in Civil - Civil Contractors Federation SA

Meet our 'WOW' of the week, Olivia Pietrobon from Fulton Hogan 👷♀️🌟 ❓ What do you enjoy most about working in civil? 👉🏼 I love that everyday is different. Even though you are working on the same project, each day has a different focus. It sounds cliché but no two days are the same which keeps things interesting and engaging.   ❓ What advice for women interested in this field? 👉🏼 Civil construction is such a big field - if you are interested in this area, it is definitely worth pursuing a career. There are so many different roles and opportunities. You don't need to have a technical background to the right role either - the diverse opportunities mean that those without a degree or apprenticeship can also get their foot in the door.  ❓ How did you overcome early career challenges? 👉🏼 An early career challenge for me was my confidence in the technical space. I was nervous to speak out in meetings and on site as I didn’t want to be wrong. I leant heavily on experienced engineers and my site team to talk through my thoughts and learnt a lot. They were all patient and happy to help me understand more about the industry as I had little experience. ❓ If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? 👉🏼 I would love to go to Peru and do the Inca trail to see Machu Picchu. It is unlike any place I have visited before and I would love to see and learn all the history. #WOWinCivil #WomenOnWednesdays #WomenInCivil #CCF

We would like to introduce one of our new members of the Women in Civil committee, Angelique Wauer! Angelique is a HSEQ and HR Advisor, with SEM Group of Companies. She prioritises building meaningful connections with employees and stakeholders to mitigate risks within the work place, which effect those in the industry. Her passion for safety, the environment as well as people, lead her to her this role. Angelique is dedicated to working toward a inclusive and equitable environment, bridging the gender diversity gaps. Striving to be a part of the change which not only encourages more women into the Civil Industry, but supports their growth and development within it. In her free time, you will either catch Angelique at the gym, or Skiing along the river! Angelique is eager to be a part of WIC and drive what positive change can be made in our industry! #WomenInCivil #NewMember #Civil #CCFSA

Over the last few months, the Research sub-committee of Women in Civil - Civil Contractors Federation SA have collected mini questionnaires which were sent out to school children. The committee collated two levels of questions for lower primary and upper primary students. We loved seeing the results. The lower primary students had fun illustrating what a construction worker looks like to them. They were aware of the dangers of working on site and were very open to the industry being for both men and women. We got very mixed responses on whether working in civil could be exciting, describing it as potentially fun, scary and hard work. Upper primary students became a lot more aware of STEM and how much it plays a part in the industry. They were aware of the roles and skills required and which subjects civil workers may have done at school. They were a lot more aware of safety concerns and the dangers that may be present, but also aware that training and safe procedures assist in keeping workers safe and healthy.   We thank the students who participated in our surveys. #CivilConstruction #CivilStudentSurvey #WomenInCivil #CivilResearch ▪

Congratulations to the newest member of our Women in Civil - Civil Contractors Federation SA, Janelle Baron from CPB Contractors, for winning the NAWIC SA 2024 President’s Award & Business Professional Award! ⭐🏆 Janelle’s recognition is well deserved, thanks to her innovative approach and unwavering commitment to gender equality, which has left a lasting impact on the construction industry. She has been instrumental in developing a Gender Equality Action Plan and is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of female leaders. Her leadership and advocacy continues to drive positive change across our construction sector. We couldn’t be prouder to have such an inspirational woman join our committee. We’re excited to support Janelle on her journey and to see the incredible impact she will continue to make. #WomenInCivil #CCFSA #NAWICSA #CivilConstruction

WIC chair Natasha Hemmerling Hemmerling is your host. CCF SA CEO Rebecca Pickering will lead a panel discussion featuring Winnie Zhu (McConnell Dowell), Jon Whelan (DIT) and Georgina McClure (CPB). This year’s WIC Festive Drinks will be a value-packed and informative event, so reserve your tickets now! Join us at The Maid on Friday 6 December to cap off 2024 with style and substance. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank BMD Group for their ongoing support as well as our special event sponsors BDT Construction SA Pty Ltd and CPB Contractors . Secure your tickets now via the link below, or simply use the QR code – we’ll see you there! https://loom.ly/LKI3w_0

Meet our 'WOW' of the week, Charmaine Fisher from EP Civil & Earthmoving Pty Ltd 👷♀️🌟 ❓ What inspired your career in civil construction? 👉🏼 My parents both work in the civil construction/earthmoving field & I had always admired their careers growing up, especially Mum’s perseverance & aptitude working in a male dominate industry. At 19 I gained my truck licence & worked various roles in civil construction until I landed my position at EP Civil & Earthmoving, where my passion for technology converged with my aspiration to work within the earthmoving/civil industry. ❓ Thoughts on attracting more women to the industry? 👉🏼 To attract more women to enter the industry and pursue long-term careers, it is essential that cultural change is made & industry structures adapt i.e more flexible patterns of work/ further funding to support evidence-based programs on how to attract & retain women. It is proven that embracing gender equality in civil construction not only promotes social progress but women can also bring unique skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities to construction projects, enhancing teamwork & fostering a more inclusive work environment. ❓ What keeps you passionate about your work? 👉🏼 I have worked in my current role alongside a highly skilled & passionate team for well over a decade & the love for my job in this industry is still thriving. The civil construction industry is an exciting & evolving field & I enjoy being one of the working cogs it takes to construct our most complex civil construction projects from start to finish, especially when we receive positive feedback from our satisfied clients & the public.  ❓ If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be? 👉🏼 Probably to become proficient in speaking German to connect with part of my background and family.  #WOWinCivil #WomenOnWednesdays #WomenInCivil #CCF

Tickets are on sale now for WIC Festive Drinks – a WIC Celebration. Come along to The Maid on 6 December and wrap up 2024 in the perfect civil spirit! Join us to hear from some amazing speakers. Enjoy good company, great networking and a chance to relax and wind down. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank BMD Group for their ongoing support as well as our special event sponsors BDT Construction SA Pty Ltd and CPB Contractors . Secure your tickets now via the QR code – we’ll see you there!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 'It's Not The End' dinner to celebrate our Women in Civil - Civil Contractors Federation SA Mentoring Program, proudly supported by Department for Infrastructure and Transport. Our program would not be made possible without the mentors and mentees. A huge thank you for your time and dedication this year. Commitment like yours is what helps drive the long-term success and strength of our civil industry. We hope the relationships built and the knowledge shared, will bring great value to your career within civil. #WomenInCivil #CCFSA #CivilMentoringProgram #Civil ▪

Meet our 'WOW' of the week, Maria Alejandra Coqueco Duque from BMD Group 👷♀️🌟   ❓ How did you overcome early career challenges? 👉🏼 In my early career, I faced challenges that taught me the importance of overcoming fear. I've learned to embrace uncertainty by asking questions when I'm unsure, recognizing that I don't need to have all the answers. This has helped me build my confidence and grow both personally and professionally.   ❓ What advice for women interested in this field? 👉🏼 My advice for women interested in this field is to recognize the invaluable role we play, even in a male-dominated industry. Women’s contributions are significant and powerful. Embrace your unique perspective, seek mentorship, and don’t hesitate to speak up.    ❓ Exciting/challenging aspects of your work? 👉🏼 The most exciting aspect of my work is the continuous learning it offers. I thrive on collaborating with my team to ensure our projects succeed. Additionally, I value the opportunity to connect with incredible people along the way.   ❓ What's your favourite type of cuisine? 👉🏼 My favourite types of cuisine are Colombian and Mexican, as well as other South American flavours.   #WOWinCivil #WomenOnWednesdays #WomenInCivil #CCF

Meet our 'WOW' of the week, Isil C. from Ghella 👷♀️🌟   ❓ What advice for women interested in this field? 👉🏼 Recognize the value of perseverance and the importance of setting boundaries. Your teammates will come from diverse backgrounds, so strive for effective communication while setting aside stereotypes. Be direct and clear.   ❓ Thoughts on attracting more women to the industry? 👉🏼 It's essential to implement strategies that provide support and foster inclusivity to promote gender equality. Representation matters. Highlighting diverse role models and showcasing the real-world impact of civil engineering can inspire interest.   ❓ Is there a project that impacted your career significantly? 👉🏼 Central Section of Western High Speed Diameter Project, St. Peterburg, Russia. It was an urban highway project with several complex engineering structures. It is designed to endure severe weather conditions both during and after construction and managed by multinational organisations on both client and contractor sides. Truly a mega infrastructure project. It has provided me with invaluable practical experience through its technical challenges, which I continue to draw upon in my career. The core of my professional network consists of colleagues from this project.   ❓ If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be? 👉🏼 I would like to achieve proficiency in another language, either Chinese or Spanish. #WOWinCivil #WomenOnWednesdays #WomenInCivil #CCF