Women are playing a key role in the construction of the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment, representing around 13 per cent of the project’s total workforce.
The project is currently exceeding NSW Government targets aimed at increasing the number of women in the construction industry.
The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is part of the NSW Government’s Women in Construction (WiC) focused Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program (ISLP) which is trialling increased targets for women in construction to boost skills, capability, and capacity in the construction industry and increase diversity on building sites.
The $438 million hospital redevelopment, being delivered by main works contractor John Holland, is one of eight Health Infrastructure projects with a dedicated WiC ISLP officer embedded on site to support the employment, upskilling, and retention of women in the construction sector. The program also aims to improve industry culture, making it more inclusive.
To date, women in trades currently represent 10 per cent of the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment’s trade workforce, exceeding the 4 per cent target. Women working in non-traditional roles also currently represent 9 per cent of the project’s non-traditional role workforce, which is better than the 7 per cent target.
Women working on the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment are contributing across a wide range of roles including a Project Director, electrician, carpenter, safety coordinator, architects and engineers.
First year apprentice carpenter Libby Walters is working on the construction of the new 7-storey Acute Services Building and is learning a range of skills from senior carpenters on the site.
She says she enjoys working alongside experienced colleagues who have perfected their craft over many years.
“I’d encourage anyone to get out there and get experience! There are so many different parts of the industry – you need to work out the type of work you want to do by trying lots of different things. Use your contacts to seek out opportunities,” she said.
Senior Project Engineer, Lucia Lu says working in construction has given her the confidence to keep growing.
“The dynamic nature of construction provides endless challenges everyday but also encourages continuous learning throughout your career and is incredibly rewarding,” she said.
The redevelopment will become the health hub for the region, providing most emergency, critical care, acute, sub-acute, and non-admitted services locally, reducing the need to transfer patients to Wollongong and Sydney.
Construction of the new Acute Services Building is expected to be completed in 2026.
Health Infrastructure is delivering the project in partnership with Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District. The project is supported by John Holland as the main works contractor and Program Manager, Johnstaff.
For more information, visit the project page.
