Cairns Women Now Taking Charge with Local Construction Projects

The all-female iQ Construct team who delivered the refurbishment of the DFS T Galleria in Cairns have made the news headlines.

At iQ Construct having women in construction roles is the norm and it’s easy to forget that we are truly unique. We are all so proud of our incredible iQ Construct women paving the way for a time when our daughters will think nothing about women in hardhats and high vis.

Read full article below.

Alicia Nally, The Cairns Post
September 11, 2019

iQ Construct site supervisor Courtney Kain and project manager Jae Gowers have been part of leading luxury travel retailer DFS T Galleria’s renovations, set for completion by the end of 2019.

Ms Gowers said while the work on the Far North building was a breeze thanks to her colleagues, there was a bit of scepticism when the local, male workforce met the duo.

Ms Kain has relocated to Cairns during the project while Ms Gowers works from the company’s Brisbane office.

“We can all say they were all a bit sceptical. I wouldn’t say taken aback but maybe there were a few raised eyebrows,” Ms Gowers said.

“But the team was really respectful and first impressions — whether you’re male or female — we’ve all got them but it was a great project.”

“The leadership team all fulfilled their roles perfectly too. It was a dream to work with them.”

The pair said they loved the Far North project and in a “perfect world” iQ Construct would open a branch in Cairns but for now the team is chasing more work in the region.

Men currently account for 89 per cent of the construction industry workforce but iQ Construct managing director Ian Morrison believed the low level of female employment was a missed opportunity for the sector.

“There is an unconscious bias people have in this industry. It’s a perception issue not a skill issue. In many cases the person with the right experience, skills and approach to fit the job is a woman,” he said.

“The only reason women aren’t in every role we have is because I don’t have the talent pool.”

Mr Morrison was keen to see a time in the near future when teams such as this are the rule, rather than the exception.

He said the key was creating the right environment where people were recognised and appreciated for their skill alone.

That idea is backed by DFS Group vice president of store development, project, construction and facilities management Wayne Crossley.

“Placing strong women into senior roles within the construction industry brings great level of collaboration to a project,” he said.

“Women incorporate a level of intuition and focus on problem solving in a far more lateral and collaborative way than many male-dominated teams.

The DFS T Galleria Cairns project was the first time many of those working on the job have had a woman as their direct manager.