Master Builders Victoria (MBV) has just launched a new TV ad campaign as it tries to attract more young women and school leavers to consider a career in the building and construction industry.

The ‘Discover Your Career, Build Victoria’ ad follows a young girl as she grows up in Victoria and decides to join the building workforce.

MBV CEO Michaela Lihou says historically the number of women in the industry has been far outweighed by the number of men, but says the organisation is keen to show young women and job seekers that the industry offers many more options than they may initially think.

“We know there’s an enormous push at both the state and federal level for increased residential housing across Australia and there are huge opportunities for qualified trades, apprentices, and non-trade roles, to play a part in helping to make those aspirations and targets come to life,” she says.

“At the moment, just under 12 per cent of Victoria’s total 350,000 plus building and construction workforce is made up of women. And young women need to know, there are literally hundreds of different types of careers that are available – and needed – and it’s not all about muddy siteworks!”

“We have jobs going begging and would love to see more women and school leavers at least consider what they could do in construction and building.”

In 2023, the Victorian Skills Authority reported that 17,400 new construction workers would be needed in Victoria by 2026 and MBV says it is committed to helping inspire and encourage the next generation of tradespeople and builders, both male and female.

The ad will run on the channels of the Nine Network and WIN TV until December 7, 2024. Click here to view the ad.

“We really hope this ad will resonate with young people right across Victoria and might be just enough to encourage them to give a potential career in building and construction another look,” says Michaela Lihou. 

“You never know where it might take them!”