Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

Image: Allistair/peopleimages.com/stock.adobe.com The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) has welcomed the reconvening of the National Construction Industry Forum (NCIF), bringing together key industry bodies such as Master Builders Australia and the Civil Contractors Federation. Jon Davies, CEO of the ACA and a founding member of the NCIF, described this as a unique opportunity to reshape the construction industry … The post ACA welcomes reset of the National Construction Industry Forum appeared first on Inside Construction . View Source

National Association of Women in Construction members, both individual and corporate, have access to the Male Allies Program for free. (Image: Symal) The National Association of Women in Construction’s (NAWIC) Male Allies Program is equipping men in the construction industry with the tools to champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace. By the National Association of Women in Construction. At NAWIC, our vision is an equitable construction industry where all women fully participate and thrive. Construction is the second most male‐dominated workforce in Australia, after mining, and there is not only one solution to improving women’s participation in the industry. The NAWIC Male Allies Program is designed to help men in the construction industry understand and champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In partnership with Lysander Consulting, this self‐paced course, consisting of five digital modules, aims to build awareness and knowledge. It explores key concepts, en

The HP SitePrint operates in tandem with robotic total stations. (Images: Aptella) The evolution of construction layout methods, driven by a relentless pursuit of precision and efficiency, has seen Aptella emerge as a leading solutions provider. From the ancient Egyptians meticulously aligning stones to today’s skyscrapers towering over city skylines, the tools and techniques for construction layout have continuously evolved, driven by technological advances that redefine and ultimately revolutionise industry standards. David Grabham is the national sales manager for the building sector at Aptella, an industry leader in automation and technology. He expresses his enthusiasm for the company’s role in this field. “Before coming to Aptella, I was a project manager for big construction sites, so I feel I’m in a unique position to see both sides,” says Grabham. “I’ve been on the ground and now I’m educated and leading the selling of exciting new technologies and products to the very

Coates has a goal of 25 per cent female participation in management by 2025. (Image: Nicki Connolly/The Photo Pitch) Construction is often recognised as one of Australia’s most male-dominated industries, but Coates is working to change this through its Leadership, Excellence and Performance (LEAP) program. Established to empower and develop future female leaders, the LEAP program has achieved great success. In its first four years, it has seen 85 women graduate, with 30 per cent advancing to higher-level or leadership positions. Marilyn Colyer, a past participant, transitioned into a more senior role as a business trainer early in her program. She reflects on the timely impact of the LEAP program on her leadership development. “Upon transitioning into a new role at Coates while participating in the LEAP program, I discovered that the program significantly improved my communication skills,” says Colyer. “Additionally, I felt welcomed by other like-minded women within the company

Image: C Davids/peopleimages.com/stock.adobe.com Is your business leading the way in empowering women in construction? This December, our Women in Construction: Breaking Barriers and Building Futures feature offers a unique platform to highlight your initiatives and success stories. Despite the construction industry being one of Australia’s largest, women represent only about 15 per cent of the workforce. With ongoing labour shortages, now is the time to spotlight businesses that are not only embracing but also driving positive change for women in construction. This is your chance to showcase how your business is leading efforts to increase female representation – whether through flexible work arrangements, mentorship programs or fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. Don’t miss the opportunity to demonstrate your commitment and gain visibility among key industry stakeholders. If your business is actively working to break barriers and build a brighter future fo

Image: kokliang1981/stock.adobe.com Dr Gretchen Gagel outlines practical strategies for improving technology adoption within the construction industry, offering insights for individuals, teams and organisations alike. By Dr Gretchen Gagel. I remember visiting a construction project years ago and discussing technology use with the team. I heard things like, “Yes, we’re supposed to use this scheduling software, but it’s too complicated, so we manage the schedule with a spreadsheet,” and “Our team has this great new technology for identifying design clashes, but no one else in the organisation seems interested in using it.” Do these statements sound familiar? I believe they highlight two of the many challenges we face in adopting technology in the construction industry. Dr Gretchen Gagel. (Image: Heidi Victoria) In my previous Inside Construction editorials, I have explored advancements in construction technology, including areas like artificial intelligence (AI). In this piece

KONE DX smart elevators are future-proof, utilising artificial intelligence technology to predict lift movements and enhance energy efficiency. (Images: KONE) In an era of rapid urbanisation, KONE is at the forefront of improving the flow of urban life from the ground up. With cities expanding and billions flocking to urban areas, KONE’s state-of-the-art elevators and escalators are revolutionising the way people navigate the built environment. The company’s extensive portfolio, spanning residential, commercial and infrastructure sectors, is enhancing city living one project at a time. Adam Grando, director of new building solutions for Australia and New Zealand at KONE, emphasises the company’s mission: “By 2050, more than two in every three people on the planet will live in urban areas. As leaders in the vertical transportation space, we’re deeply engaged in optimising how people move in and around buildings, ensuring seamless travel to destinations in urban environments.” The

Image: Komatsu Komatsu Australia (Komatsu) is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and job creation by renewing its partnership with the Endeavour Foundation. This collaboration not only aims to reduce Komatsu’s environmental impact but also provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Endeavour Foundation, an independent, purpose-driven organisation, supports people with disabilities through independent living or other forms of accommodation, community initiatives and employment opportunities. The partnership focuses on creating job opportunities within Komatsu’s Oil and Wear Analysis (KOWA) department. As part of this initiative, supported employees clean 100 per cent recycled plastic canisters, which are then reused up to six times. Russell Hodson, executive general manager of supply chain at Komatsu, notes that the company has been working with the Endeavour Foundation since 2021 and is enthusiastic about extending this partnership for another

Image: FuturePlace FuturePlace has announced its latest summits focused on the construction sector. In October 2024, the company will host the 2nd Annual Construction Technology Summit and launch the inaugural Construction Procurement Summit on 23 and 24 October, respectively, at Doltone House, Darling Island, Sydney. These two important events come at a time of unprecedented opportunities and challenges facing the construction industry. The challenges related to declining productivity, skilled labour shortages, rising construction costs and supply chain constraints have been well documented and continue to impact contractor operations daily. However, there are technologies and procurement strategies that can be utilised to mitigate and even overcome some of these challenges and help drive long-term benefits. Related stories: The 2024 Future of Construction Summit kicks off Future of Construction Summit sparks action Construction re-imagined at FCON 2024 Image: FuturePlace

Hobson Engineering’s tension‐controlled bolts have a unique three‐character trace code on the bolt head and offer an accurate visual inspection via break‐off spline. (Image: Hobson Engineering) Hobson Engineering’s tension-controlled (TC) bolts are enhancing efficiency in major construction and infrastructure projects throughout Australia. In structural engineering, advancements often come in the form of small innovations that promise big advantages. One such innovation making waves in the construction industry is TC bolts. Gavin McPherson, lead engineer at Hobson Engineering. (Image: Hobson Engineering) Gavin McPherson, lead engineer at Hobson Engineering, says that TC bolts have great potential in improving efficiency in structural applications. He explains that, unlike traditional methods relying on manual marking or additional direct tension indicators, TC bolts simplify the installation process. “Hobson Engineering’s TC bolts offer a streamlined installation process usin

Image: Autodesk Stowe Australia, a leading privately-owned electrical and communications contractor, has undertaken its largest technology roll-out with the adoption of Autodesk Construction Cloud across the business. This cloud construction solution is designed to boost agility, enhance collaboration and drive data efficiencies company-wide. Stowe Australia is leveraging Autodesk Construction Cloud to generate insights that extend beyond individual projects ­– its most significant technological innovation to date. “Stowe has built an industry reputation for service excellence in its 100-year history,” said Matt Fern, digital engineering manager at Stowe Australia. “A lot of this has been built on the knowledge gained by our employees – many of whom have worked for the company for years.” “While project data was being shared within the company, it was often done manually, relying on the memory and experience of employees.” Fern explained that there was a business need to break

Empowered Women in Trades’ Louise Azzopardi and Melinda Davis with trailblazers of trades. (Images: Empowered Women in Trades) Empowered Women in Trades’ Melinda Davis is putting a spotlight on the trailblazers and changemakers creating a brighter future for women in trades. By Melinda Davis, COO of Empowered Women in Trades. The world of Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) has been incredibly exciting over the last few months, with trips to Toowoomba in Queensland, Timboon and Ballarat in regional Victoria, and the first women in trades networking event in South Australia. The hive of activity has been lots of fun, but in the quiet moments, when you have an opportunity to reflect, that’s when the real excitement happens. A movement is happening in the world of trades. Supporting more women to go into trades has been an ongoing issue for many years, with less than 3 per cent of women in trade roles across the country. However, this is slowly changing. Women in Plumbing statistics s

Emmeline Rocks, civil engineer and project manager at Zauner Construction. (Images: Simon Dallinger Photography) Emmeline Rocks is making waves in the construction industry as a civil engineer and project manager at Zauner Construction, overseeing major projects across regional New South Wales and Victoria. Emmeline Rocks’ experience exemplifies the diverse pathways and abundant opportunities in the construction industry. Early in her career, she has already achieved remarkable success, earning industry recognition and inspiring the next generation of construction leaders. Her journey into the construction world began with a passion for architecture in high school, which later transitioned to engineering. “I wanted to be more involved in actually building structures rather than just designing them,” says Rocks. “So, I enrolled in the engineering course at Charles Sturt University, which involves 18 months of full-time study on campus, along with four year-long work placements.”