Wyndham women will be among the first to benefit from a new Victorian Government program to boost gender equality and support the local building sector.

Local Government Minister Shaun Leane today announced that Wyndham City Council will receive $150,000 to recruit and train a new building surveyor through the Women Building Surveyors Program.

Member for Werribee Tim Pallas says Wyndham City Council’s successful candidate will begin an Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying or Bachelor of Building Surveying this year, gain work experience with the council and attend professional development events and opportunities through program partner LGPro.

The $6.3 million program attracted widespread interest from councils and council staff. Of the successful councils, 17 are rural, five are regional cities and 18 are in metropolitan Melbourne, including Wyndham.

The Women Building Surveyors program has been established to improve the gender balance in the construction industry, fill a skills shortage and drive construction stimulus projects as a key part of the state’s economic recovery from coronavirus (COVID-19).

Employed by councils, municipal building surveyors issue permits that allow construction work to commence and ensure that work complies with legal requirements and building codes. They also carry out inspections to ensure work is completed correctly and issue occupancy permits or certificates of final inspection.

For more information on the program, including a list of the successful councils, go to www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane

“This is all about offering women career opportunities, boosting gender equality in the construction sector and helping support Victoria’s economic recovery.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“It’s great to see that Wyndham City Council will be able to take up this opportunity. It’s a fantastic initiative and I look forward to seeing the successful candidate take up their position.”

“This program will help Wyndham City Council with the resources it needs to support the construction industry and ensure building work in Wyndham is completed in a safe and timely manner.”