Experience in the industry and creating programs of change with NAWIC Member Dominique Gill of Urban Core

When project manager Ashleigh Kopac joined the male-dominated construction industry six years ago, it didn't take long to experience sexism on the job.

Key points:
* Construction is the most male-dominated industry in Australia
* Women make up only 13 per cent of the sector's workforce
* There's a push for 25 per cent of the construction industry to be female by 2025

"I was trying to tell one of the guys on site to do something," she recalls.

"And he said, 'I don't know why I should listen to you. Why don't we go to the bathroom and have a striptease?'"

Her current boss, Dominique Gill — the owner of construction company Urban Core — has copped similar treatment from men while at work.

"I think it's one thing not to win a tender," Ms Gill said. "But it's another to then hear that your competition has said that you should 'go back to making lunch boxes'."

"And it's something that I'm still facing now as a managing director."

Construction is the most male-dominated workforce in Australia, but to address chronic labour shortages there is a push for the industry's future to be female.

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has a goal for women to make up 25 per cent of the industry by 2025.

Women currently only make up 13 per cent of the building and construction industry's workforce and, of those, only 2 per cent are in trades. The other 11 per cent of women work in administration and support roles.

"It's a very ambitious goal, but we have to set ambitious goals to make change," NAWIC Chairwoman Christina Yiakkoupis said.

Not feeling welcome or equal has been a big barrier for women entering the industry.

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