Building Pathways: BMD Supports Women Athletes in the Construction Industry

Australia’s largest privately owned and operated civil engineering, design, construction and land development contractor, BMD, welcomes newest recruit, Brisbane Lions AFLW player Lily Postlethwaite.

BMD has established an Athlete Employment program which supports women athletes by providing opportunities for them to pursue both their sporting career and a career off-field through flexible work.

Women make up only 12 per cent of the construction workforce. At a time when an estimated 105,000 additional construction workers are needed to deliver Australia’s project pipeline, the industry is missing out on a huge potential workforce.

The Australian Women’s Sport Advisory Group has also recommended that corporates offer greater flexible working arrangements to engage more women in sport and create a level playing field.

BMD Chief Executive Officer Scott Power said the need for more women in the construction industry, combined with BMD’s vast array of sporting partnerships and a desire to promote women in sport, was a key driver in developing the Athlete Employment program.

“At BMD we are passionately committed to building a more diverse industry by increasing the number of women in construction. While our representation of women is above industry standard, currently sitting at 19 per cent, we are not resting on our laurels and know there is more that we can do,” Mr Power said. “We believe in the power of inclusion and diversity because this leads to high performing teams and industry-best outcomes. BMD has a vast array of partnerships across various codes of sport, from AFL to NRL, soccer and most recently netball. The creation of the BMD Athlete Employment program provides a way to deepen and broaden our partnerships by offering opportunities for athletes outside of sport.

“As we are a co-major sponsor of the Brisbane Lions AFLW team, it is exciting to combine these commitments through this employment program.”

Brisbane Lions AFLW player, Lily Postlethwaite, has joined the BMD team as a Site Administrator on the Centenary Bridge Upgrade project in Brisbane’s west. Ms Postlethwaite is employed part-time to allow her to focus on her training and games each week.

“I am excited to be a member of the BMD family, not only sporting the logo on my guernsey but also now on site through the Athlete Employment program. BMD has given me exposure to an industry I might not have considered before. Now I have the flexibility to play professional sport while also starting my career.” Ms Postlethwaite said.

Mr Power said, “Lily joining BMD is a massive milestone for our business. There is a hugely positive alignment between sport and construction – collaboration, teamwork, fast-paced environment, problem-solving, and unique hours.”

“We celebrate Safe Work Month across the industry this month and at BMD we use this as an opportunity to educate our people on what achieving safety excellence means – for each other so we can show up for the moments that matter in our home lives. For Lily, the moments that matter are balancing her commitment to training and playing in the AFLW.”

Ms Postlethwaite is equally excited to bring her unique skillset to the BMD team.

“Like sport, construction work is also very demanding on the body and knowing how to move safely on the job is key to preventing injury. While the team warms up every day, I am planning on taking the team through an AFL inspired warm-up session by introducing the ball for a bit of fun,” she said.

Mr Power said, “The Brisbane Lions AFLW are performing strongly this season, currently sitting at number four on the ladder. With only four rounds to go, all of us at BMD are wishing Lily and the team every success for the rest of the year.”

BMD has a strong track record of supporting sporting clubs, including the North Queensland Cowboys, BMD Northcliffe Surf Lifesaving Club, Brisbane Lions AFL and AFLW, Wynnum Manly Seagulls men’s and women’s teams, Western Sydney Wanderers, Melbourne Vixens and the Queensland Rugby League senior women’s state-wide competition, the BMD Premiership.