Raising Awareness of the Building Surveying and Quantity Surveying Professions

Dr Kim Maund, Mr Cameron Beard, Dr Jessica Siva and A/Professor Thayaparan Gajendran were successfully awarded a Commonwealth research grant focusing upon the Building Surveying and Quantity Surveying professions and how these can provide viable career pathways.

The construction industry is a significant contributor to the national economy: around 9% of the GDP, generating $360 billion annually in revenue and with more than one million employees. Yet, women continue to be poorly represented within this sector: less than 12% of positions nationally. The sector offers a diverse range of career opportunities from specialist trades to professions. The Building Surveying and Quantity Surveying professions may offer viable career pathways given the severe national shortage given the flexible working conditions, salaries and leadership opportunities. Yet. They are often little known and the percentage of women in these professions may be considered lower than the national average.

As part of the project, the team explored recruitment and retention challenges associated with the professions and undertook the following activities:

  • A career information toolkit – designed for high school students. The toolkit has information about the professions with the brochure containing facts such as educational requirements; and
  • A scholarship scheme – 20 scholarships awarded to women interested in these professions, plus memberships with peak industry bodies and an opportunity to participate in a  mentoring scheme.

You will find the links to the career information toolkit and other materials below.

What is Building Surveying and Quantity Surveying?

Raising awareness of surveying professions

The research team wish to thank the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the administering entity the Department of Industry, Science and Resources for funding this project around opportunities for women in the building surveying and quantity surveying professions.

The authors also wish to thank their project partners: the Australian Institute of Building Surveying and the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and their endeavours to support women in the professions.