Georgiou Group

RECOGNISING THE VALUE OF A FEMALE WORKFORCE IN CONSTRUCTION

GEORGIOU GROUP CONSTRUCTION

THE POSITION O F WO M E N We speak to the leaders of Georgiou Group about the underrepresentation of women in the Australian construction industry, and how the company is removing barriers and recognising the immeasurable value of women in construction Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Jordan Levey

A

s one of the most prominent industries across the globe, construction permeates every sector and business.

However, despite its abundance, the field faces a glaring gap in its workforce due to a noticeable lack of women.

Identified in recent years as a key issue that must be addressed, the importance of women in construction is slowly rising to the surface.

For Georgiou Group (Georgiou), combatting the striking gender disparity in the industry is at the forefront of its priorities. Courtney Scott, National People

2 | APAC Outlook Issue 66

and Capability Manager, believes there are a number of reasons the problem can be attributed to. These include gender stereotypes, an unconscious bias at play in the hiring and promotion process, and an overall lack of flexibility for women who are balancing family responsibilities.

“The challenge is also self-perpetuating – a lack of female role models and women in leadership roles, alongside a male-dominated ‘boys club’ culture can make the industry unappealing, and at times harmful for females,” Scott opens.

APAC Outlook Issue 66 | 3

GEORGIOU GROUP CONSTRUCTION

Alex Brown, Commercial Manager at Georgiou, holds a similar perspective.

“There is a huge pool of female talent that feels they cannot be part of the industry because they are mothers and cannot conform to traditional construction hours with no flexibility to manage family commitments.

“The industry is crying out for more resources, but many organisations sadly remain inflexible,” she affirms.

This is telling when you consider that in 2016, men comprised 89 percent of the construction workforce, making the sector incredibly male dominated.

“Looking back, the construction sector was seen as physically demanding with difficult working conditions, which have changed overtime due to 4 | APAC Outlook Issue 66

“OUR INDUSTRY SUFFERS FROM A SKILL S H O R TA G E I S S U E – S U P P O R T I N G A N D E N A B L I N G WO M E N ’ S E N T RY I N TO T H E I N D U S T R Y P L AY S A S I G N I F I C A N T R O L E I N A D D R E S S I N G T H AT C H A L L E N G E ” – C O U R T N E Y S C O T T, N AT I O N A L P E O P L E A N D C A P A B I L I T Y M A N AG E R , G E O R G I O U G R O U P

an improved focus on safety and more effective work practices,” CEO, Gary Georgiou contextualises.

REMOVING THE BARRIERS Georgiou is an industry-leading provider of civil and building construction services for both government and private clients across Australia. With its core

business sectors spanning resources, renewables, defence, building, transport, and land development, the company permeates many industries across the country.

Georgiou has offices in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Darwin, footed by a team of 900 people who are all unified by a commitment to the core values of

GEORGIOU GROUP CONSTRUCTION

care, integrity, and excellence.

With this in mind, Georgiou’s leadership holds a firm responsibility to shift the norms of the industry for future generations. The company openly welcomes a diverse range of experiences, perspectives, skills, and ideas that ultimately help to improve the company’s operations.

“We certainly embrace this opportunity, and it contributes to our success and excellent culture – we value and celebrate the uniqueness of our employees,” Scott highlights.

Gary agrees in the sense that the increase in varying perspectives is correlative to Georgiou’s capacity to deliver unique and forwardthinking solutions, whilst increasing the depth of its communication and collaboration.

This is most aptly showcased in the array of innovative projects the company has recently enjoyed.

For example, Georgiou, working in an alliance with Main Roads WA, BMD Group, and BG&E, recently completed the Fitzroy River Bridge in the Kimberly region of Western Australia (WA). The bridge is a critical piece of community infrastructure that the alliance was able to complete six months ahead of schedule.

“Equally as important, the project team developed an impactful relationship with the community throughout construction, providing valuable opportunities, services, and experiences for locals, including school children and Indigenous communities,” Gary tells us.

Georgiou also delivered the design and construct contract for the Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 project in Queensland. In addition to the scale of the landmark development, the company is proud of its local impact, having an 80 percent project spend with regional businesses, of which nearly half was spent with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Furthermore, AUD$9 million was spent on Indigenous-owned suppliers,

with development opportunities given to 35 local apprentices and trainees. Georgiou also notably achieved a Leading ISC Design rating under the Infrastructure Sustainability Council V1.2 system.

“Beyond delivering excellent infrastructure, the impact we’re able to make on people’s lives and the environment is an incredibly meaningful driver,” Gary adds.

On a broader scale, the company’s work across Australia showcases its ability to collaborate effectively to deliver outstanding results that consistently have a transformative impact. These projects include the Coomera Connector Stage 1 North Package in joint venture with Acciona, the M12 Motorway (West) in joint venture with CPB, and the Tonkin Gap Alliance working with BMD.

APAC OUTLOOK: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN CONSIDERING ENTERING YOUR INDUSTRY? FIONA LETHBRIDGE, PROJECT MANAGER: “Don’t be intimidated by the maledominated environment. While working on sites, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and driving utes may not be glamourous, it’s a lot of fun and hugely satisfying to be part of the project team.”

EVIE GREENWOOD, SENIOR PROJECT ENGINEER: “Don’t hesitate to dive in!

Construction is a dynamic field with plenty of opportunities for growth. Embrace the challenges, learn from every experience, and build your knowledge through hands-on exposure.

“Don’t also be afraid to explore different paths within the industry, and remember, your unique perspective is an asset. It’s a rewarding journey that requires resilience, but the satisfaction of contributing to tangible projects is truly unparalleled.”

ALEX BROWN, COMMERCIAL MANAGER: “Be yourself – you shouldn’t have to conform or change yourself to fit in. If something doesn’t sit well, speak up, or find someone who can advocate for you. It’s a very different industry compared to what it was a decade ago, but still has a long way to go to achieve genuine equality and diversity.”

APAC Outlook Issue 66 | 5

“We work with the best, because only the best want what Coffey Testing can provide… peace of mind.”

With 65 years of experience in the construction materials testing industry, Coffey Testing is the industry leader in the delivery of aggregate, concrete and soil testing services, alongside complex specialty testing services that allow for tests to be done on soft soils and rock for other projects.

With quality, safety, and efficiency at the forefront of our operations, Coffey Testing truly understands the value of our client relationships and that these three priorities are the foundations of a successful end result of a project.

Coffey Testing is committed to delivering optimal service to our clients, and we owe this to our employees. With access to our own in-house training officers and the opportunities to seek further qualifications outside of the organisation, Coffey Testing encourages staff to progress in their careers to be the best versions of themselves possible.

Through the performance and expertise of our highly skilled and motivated employees, our vision is to be the leading materials testing company, driving demand for quality results.

Therefore, our commitment to clients is that we always endeavour to: • Do The Right Thing: Act with integrity and conduct business in an ethical manner.

• Bring Your ‘A’ Game: Provide high levels of expertise and delivery quality outcomes to our clients.

• Work Ethic Wins: We work hard to consistently exceed our clients’ expectations.

• One Team: We build strong client relationships through effective communication and genuine respect.

Coffey Testing Company Contact Details

Chief Executive Officer & Owner | Dawn Watt | dawn.wa General Manager for NSW & ACT | Cameron Bik | came General Manager for Northern NSW & VIC | kerrina.chr General Manager for WA & SA | Franco Harkins | franco General Manager for Northern QLD | Sam Hill | sam.hill General Manager for Southern QLD | Warren O’Connor General Manager for Northern Territory | Scott Coburn Sales & Marketing Coordinator | Josie Small | josie.sma

• Find A Better Way: We value client feedback and evaluate our processes and systems to continuously improve.

Coffey Testing is Australian Owned, which is a big part of what we do to contribute to the economy and help those in smaller communities make a difference.

The Australian Owned symbol is more than just a logo – it represents our active support for not only our staff but other local businesses, which in turn allows us to drive our nation’s economy and success.

Coffey Testing is committed to the Australian economy, embodying the values that align us with our recently acquired Australian Owned Social Responsibility Partnership. We are extremely proud of our Australian-Owned roots, and are motivated to assist the Australian economy for the many years to come.

Coffey Testing is also a valued corporate member within the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), a not-for-profit organisation that strives to advocate for change, educate and empower, and connect women through their love and passion for the construction industry.

This partnership is important to Coffey Testing as it will enable us to continue to promote inclusivity and greater female participation in this male-dominated industry.

Our female participation rate is currently at 18 percent, and NAWIC has a goal of 25 percent female participation in the construction industry by 2025,

att@coffeytesting.com | 02 4016 2334 eron.bik@coffeytesting.com | 0424 521 225 ristiansen@coffeytesting.com | 0477 779 760 o.harkins@coffeytesting.com | 0438 537 373 l@coffeytesting.com | 0408 782 721 r | warren.o’connor@coffeytesting.com | 0417 043 734 n | scott.coburn@coffeytesting.com | 0478 182 791 all@coffeytesting.com | 02 4016 2342

more than double the current rate which currently stands at approximately 12 percent.

The employees and volunteers involved are motivated in championing this core policy, and to achieve this, the organisation has put together the foundations to encourage cultural change.

Coffey Testing is owned and managed by Dawn Watt, who became the first female CEO in the geotechnical and civil construction material testing industry in Australia in 2019.

Since Watt first stepped foot into the Coffey Testing laboratory in Newcastle over 20 years ago, she has overseen changes that have really shaped the foundations of Coffey Testing resulting in the movement of increasing gender diversity and female representation.

Being affiliated with NAWIC is such an important and valued partnership when it comes to the Australian economy and taking the right steps towards a workplace culture where all genders are accepted.

Coffey Testing looks forward to helping achieve these goals and to contribute to the change of the construction industry now and in the future.

We also have an associate membership with the Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA), as well as additional national and regional affiliations, sponsorships, and partnerships with the likes of AustStab, Central Queensland Capras, Civil Contractors Federation, Surfing Victoria, and Roads Australia.

coffeytesting.com.au

RECOGNISING VALUE In each of Georgiou’s projects, the company endeavours to truly value the contributions of women, including expertise in communication, meeting the strict deadlines of clients, and providing a greater perspective for forward-thinking solutions, to name but a few.

For the likes of Project Manager, Fiona Lethbridge, who has worked at the company for over 16 years, the sheer variety of roles available makes the industry an attractive occupation for women.

“Project management is a little bit of everything, from tracking finances to organising procurement and managing people – perfect for women who can multitask! With a strong focus on other elements of the projects, such as quality, safety, and human resources (HR), there are lots of opportunities for women in construction beyond typical manual 8 | APAC Outlook Issue 66

labour,” she explains.

To add to this, women in construction often bring a unique blend of perspectives, problemsolving, and collaborative approaches, as Evie Greenwood, Senior Project Engineer, elaborates.

“The ability of women to navigate challenges with resilience and attention to detail often adds a distinctive touch to projects.

“We also often excel in communication and relationshipbuilding, contributing to better teamwork and client relationships.”

These valuable attributes are the reason why Georgiou diligently recognises the contributions of its female workforce.

“It’s integral to provide equal employment and development opportunities in order to attract, retain, and empower women in the industry.

“Following that, I believe that we

are excellent at trusting our people to operate autonomously and take ownership of their work. This trust fosters fulfilment and success for individuals, and in turn, the business,” Scott expands.

The company’s work towards representation is reflected across every project, where a welcoming and trusting environment is cultivated.

“I really love being part of a site team and playing an important role in building works. When I first joined Georgiou, I liked that it was a family business and was impressed by the number of long-serving employees,” Lethbridge tells us.

Additionally, the company strongly believes in both personal and career development across its entire workforce, allowing its staff to take charge of their own development and learning journey.

“What stands out is the diverse support from my team – technically,

GEORGIOU GROUP CONSTRUCTION

Trusted partner

since 1999

Standing the test of time, Stiles Electrical Services has provided a broad range of electrical and communications services to clients across the public and private sectors since 1999.

We have undertaken numerous civil, industrial, and commercial public infrastructure projects throughout Western Australia. Our highlights include the Elizabeth Quay Inlet, Matagarup Bridge, and Scarborough Foreshore Redevelopment.

Stiles Electrical Services boasts a team of dedicated and experienced electricians, project managers, project estimators, after-sales service personnel, and administrative support staff.

We pride ourselves on successfully delivering complex multi-disciplinary projects on-time and on-budget. This is due to our unique ability to undertake the majority of our project work in house, through our team of trade specialists and extensive fleet of plant machinery.

Our goal is to provide the highest standard of service through our technical competency and quality systems management. www.stileselectrical.com.au | 08 9300 0696

Founded on

Quality and Adaptability

CATS Construction is a Civil Construction Contractor with a multi-disciplinary and integrated offering.

Our team specialises in engineering, project management, and construction services for government and transport infrastructure, mining and resources, and the energy sector.

Services include: • Concrete structures • Earthworks and pavements • Drainage and service installation • Pipelines • Slipform barrier • Precast concrete • Rail componentry

CATS aim is to provide a holistic and innovative delivery approach, focusing on quality of service, safe practices, and the needs of our clients.

APAC Outlook Issue 66 | 9

GEORGIOU GROUP CONSTRUCTION

APAC OUTLOOK: WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES DOES GEORGIOU PARTICIPATE IN? GARY GEORGIOU, CEO: “Sustainable practices have always been important to us, and we’re now in the process of formalising that commitment by unlocking valuecreating opportunities within the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) space.

“This year we became a member of the Infrastructure Sustainability Council – a move that supports our commitment to embedding leading sustainability practices across the lifecycle of our projects and enhances transparency around our material impact.

“Furthermore, Georgiou has embarked upon understanding its baseline ESG standing against recognised international frameworks. This process involved communications with the Georgiou board, executive management team, and various operational roles to collate baseline data.

“This data has been used to measure our materiality against the four key ESG themes of people, planet, prosperity, and governance. The results of this assessment will now inform Georgiou’s ESG strategy in 2024 and beyond.”

10 | APAC Outlook Issue 66

collaboratively, and even on a personal level. It’s more than a professional environment; it’s a place where I’ve been encouraged to grow in every aspect,” details Greenwood.

“As I’ve developed in my career, I now see my role as a leader that can empower and champion women entering the industry and be part of the changes to bring equality to Georgiou as well as the broader industry,” expresses Brown.

PURSUING OPPORTUNITIES AND NURTURING DIVERSITY Following several years of significant growth, the company aims to extend its impact by entering new geographical regions. This will be achieved by continuing to pursue opportunities of increased scale and complexity across the core business sectors of resources, renewables,

defence, building, and land development.

“It’s also really important for us to consolidate our progress and nurture our people and existing clients,” adds Gary.

Alongside the diversity of its project portfolio, the company also aims to support organisations and initiatives that Georgiou holds close to its heart.

As such, the company is extremely proud to sponsor the National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC) across Australia and participate in initiatives such as Constructionarium Australia.

“We also have well-established internal initiatives such as our mentoring programme, cadet and graduate programme, and Diversity Champions – all designed to cultivate a safe and inclusive work environment

and contribute towards the meaningful development of people,” Scott expands.

Additionally, Georgiou is currently developing its National Diversity and Action Plan to ensure greater progression moving forward.

In this sense, the company is a key part of the major movement for female representation across the Australian construction space, ensuring that the unique blends of perspectives and the critical contributions of women are acknowledged and valued across every project.

GEORGIOU GROUP Tel: +61 8 9200 2500 https://www.georgiou.com.au/ APAC Outlook Issue 66 | 11

GEORGIOU GROUP Tel: +61 8 9200 2500email www.georgiou.com.au

PRODUCED BY APAC OUTLOOK MAGAZINE