The National Association of Women in Construction Victoria/Tasmania Chapter has announced a national first: the Women in Civil Construction CEO Shadow Program.

A number of Australia’s Civil Construction CEOs will be participating in the program this month.

The initiative is designed to connect and empower all those working across the civil construction sector through professional programs, including social and industry support networks.

“The construction industry tends to be male dominated, and, like all industries, it would benefit from better gender balance. I hope that by participating in this program I can encourage women to enter and to stay in the industry,” said Anne Barker, chief executive officer, City West Water.

The CEO Shadow Program has evolved from the strategic workings of the Women in Civil Construction joint initiative, launched in September 2011, between the Victorian Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) and National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Victoria/Tasmania Council.

Andrea O’Bryan, workforce sustainability manager, Civil Contractors Federation said: “Connecting CEOs and Shadows involves women selected and identified as ‘the next generation of leaders’ in civil construction.”

The aim of the program is to demystify the role of the CEO and thereby inspire more women to keep striving for appointment to senior leadership positions.

The seven leading and inspirational CEOs were eager to share their time to support the women shadows in understanding the demands and joys of the role as a CEO.

All CEOs involved represented strong and successful organisations that are aware and working to support gender diversity within their workforce, and leadership teams.

Chris Walton, chief executive officer, APESMA shared his perspective; “APESMA has been increasingly concerned regarding the situation for women professionals, particularly engineers and scientists. This was evidenced in APESMA's 2009/10 Women in the Professions report, where over 47 per cent of respondents said that their career progression had been affected by workplace culture....With the skills shortage faced by the profession crippling projects and blowing out costs - the contribution of women is one that cannot be lost.”

To maximise the learnings from this program, the shadows will participate in a six month program of follow-up peer mentoring and industry networking sessions.