Career Spotlight: Encouraging Gender Diversity

By June Ramli Despite the construction industry being open to diversity, women only make up about a tenth of the number. The construction industry is determined to promote gender diversity in its teams offering real opportunities for career development. Women are now taking full advantage of opportunities offered by this industry that is facing difficulties in hiring employees with highly specialised profiles. Hirers are gradually changing their stance. One such trailblazer is Lynette Siow (pictured above), Saint-Gobain – Managing Director for Malaysia & Singapore who is seen taking that jump at not only being that talented craft professional. She is becoming a mentor, leader and advocate for future girls who seek an opportunity in the industry. The construction workforce is evolving in many positive ways, especially as it actively embraces diversity and technology. Undeniably, a career in construction offers plenty of opportunities and benefits. The most important thing companies can do is to create and provide a culture that is positive, supportive, and encourages personal and company-wide success. Companies have to set and actively enforce a culture that encourages all employees to treat each other with care and respect and to support one another in a positive, constructive manner every single day. Once that culture is in place, a lot of the traditional beliefs and stereotypes commonly associated with the industry goes away. In this career profile piece, we dispel some of the myths that revolve around working in the construction industry, with Lynette giving us an honest insight into the industry through this interview. Read the full story at DailyStraits.com