Female Constructors of the Future

Join us in shaping the future of construction!

John Holland is delivering the M7-M12 Integration project and promoting diversity in construction by shining a light on the achievements of our female workers. We want to show the next generation that careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) are for everyone. Our goal is to normalise women working in STEM and inspire young girls and boys to be part of an inclusive future in construction.

The M7-M12 Integration project’s Female Constructors of the Future program, supported by NSW Women in Construction, provides girls and boys with fun, hands-on activities that harness fundamental building and engineering skills.

Program Outcomes:

  • Increase girls' interest in STEM through female engineer role models and hands-on activities.

  • Boost girls' confidence in design, problem-solving, and building.

  • Shift student perceptions of STEM by promoting gender inclusiveness.

  • A STEM career toolkit for teachers and parents.

AS SEEN ON TV!📺

AS SEEN ON TV!📺

Innovative and engaging school STEM activities have been rolled out to foster greater diversity in the construction industry. John Holland’s holiday workshop program inspired and empowered young girls and boys to consider careers in STEM, while connecting them with female role models who are building sustainable careers on the M7-M12 Integration project.

Children between the ages of 5 and 12 experienced first-hand what it’s like to work in construction, learning from real female engineers and builders. This reinforced that gender is no barrier when it comes to building a career in STEM.

This important message was amplified across media channels including The Today Show on Channel 9 and Mamamia.

During the activation, children took part in five stations: Imagine, Create, Animate, Innovate and Celebrate. They harnessed their engineering and construction skills by completing fun activities including designing and building bridges with Lego, decorating hard hats, learning about digital engineering software and finally, taking a photo of their creations with their new female mentors!

  • 409 holiday activation attendees

  • 177 lesson plan participants

  • 347 girls reached to-date

The results of the STEM program were incredibly promising, with a remarkable turn-out of children. The interest in further learning around STEM is evident, with 464 children pre-registering for the holiday activation, of which 262 were female. Over the course of the event, 409 children signed in. Amazingly, through the Female Constructors of the Future initiatives, we’ve reached 347 girls to-date, with more being positively impacted in the near future.

  • "I’m teaching my children that men and women can do any job they want. My generation is being more open and I’m hoping by the time they are grown up and picking careers it’s based more on ability than gender."

    Parent/guardian of 8 year old male participant

  • "More events like this should be held and rolled out in schools."

    Parent/guardian of 6 year old male participant

  • "It was a great and memorable workshop. My child enjoyed it very much and talks about how she did construction work every time we walk around the shops!"

    Parent/guardian of 5 year old female participant

  • "The staff were great and professional in providing detailed explanations to the kids at their level."

    Parent/guardian of 5 year old female and 7 year old male participants

  • "It was a great experience. I loved the effort the team put in, especially considering most of the children were very young."

    Parent/guardian of two female and one male participant

Sad that you missed out on the school holiday activation?
We’ve got you covered!

We encourage all parents, regardless of their children's gender, to share this website with teachers so they can access our free STEM lesson plan. This will provide teachers with engaging STEM activities that have been designed by industry professionals to increase children’s interest in STEM careers.

Given the enjoyment and enthusiasm displayed by the children during the STEM holiday activation, why not extend this experience into the classroom and help to reinforce that careers in STEM are for everyone, regardless of gender!

Together, let's inspire the next generation to pursue their passions and contribute to a more inclusive and diverse construction industry.