Women in Construction are Making their Mark!

Darren Milne, Construction Director  - Victoria for Hooker Cockram, was recently asked his thoughts on how his firm has benefited from their female construction staff.

Darren Milne believes that Hooker Cockram is not actively seeking out women over men. He said, “The most important thing at the end of the day is that we recruit the best people to fill the roles…… the best performers. It has just so happened that over the last 10 years, due to other companies disregarding many women with construction qualifications, they have been available for us to recruit.”

One of the interesting facts about the women currently working within Hooker Cockram is that five of them have recently become mothers.  Two of whom are currently on maternity leave and three have recently returned to work post maternity leave. These women have been able, with the cooperation and support of Hooker Cockram, to find a work life balance between their family obligations and their desire or need to continue working.

Of course, Hooker Cockram has just as many equally qualified male performers. Darren Milne states that “both genders have the capacity to have the same skills necessary when dealing with people”.  However he sees one of the advantages of having so many women working in this field and within the company is that “they don’t bring more or less, but sometimes a different perspective to their male counterparts”. Although Darren doesn’t perceive the culture of Hooker Cockram to have ever been ‘macho’, women in construction do help do dispel that image which is so often portrayed in this profession.

Changes in working conditions have also made working in construction for women far easier. "Offering flexibility for women to start a family is of benefit to us… we can provide flexible working conditions in the roles that they perform at most levels except at the primary management level where working full time is paramount", said Darren. "Women can have a work life balance within our company. This benefits both them and us, and it shows. Some of our women have worked here for 10 years, others between 7 and 9 years, and a few younger employees for around three. We encourage our women employees to come back after having children, and one of the ways we send this message is by allowing them to keep their company cars, laptops and phones whilst on maternity leave."

Hurdles still exist though…it is hard for people with young families to combine work and family in this industry. This industry is known for its long hours, starting at 7am and finishing at 6pm, 7pm or later. It can be difficult to work full time when you have young children. Darren also understands that the location of projects can vary greatly, and whilst one project for 12 months may be located 10 minutes from the local kinder or child care centre, the next one may be an hour away. It is a high stress industry and endeavouring to combine full time work with managing a family brings with it ongoing pressure.

Hooker Cockram is empathetic on this issue.  They believe in doing what they can to encourage their female employees to return to work either full time or part time after starting a family. Darren Milne says that it also helps when the people to whom you report are in a similar situation. Many of us here have young families and know the difficulties in trying to juggle family and work commitments.

Hooker Cockram continues to source the best people for roles regardless of gender. It promotes a ‘people come first’ culture advocating equal opportunity, aiming to make all employment decisions based on merit and without discrimination.