University of Southern Queensland student calls on women to join surveying industry as sector faces jobs shortfall

A major sector servicing construction is looking to recruit more women to help overcome its skills shortage, with the workforce struggling to keep up with growing demand.

LEVEL THE FIELD: University of Southern Queensland surveying student Rebecca Johnston says she wants to see more women involved in the profession, which has been historically male-dominated.

Surveying is traditionally a man’s domain, but more women like University of Southern Queensland student Rebecca Johnston are looking to forge a career in the industry.

The sector is looking to recruit more women to help overcome its skills shortage, with the surveying workforce struggling to keep up with growing demand.

Women only represent 5 per cent of the profession and 34 per cent for the spatial science industry, but Ms Johnston is part of the next wave of women surveyors levelling the gender balance.

The first-year student said she was already making a name for herself in the industry having landed a job as an assistant surveyor during her first semester at university.

“The fact that the industry is very male-dominated shouldn’t deter anyone from doing surveying,” Miss Johnston said.

“There aren’t many women in the field because they either don’t know surveying exists or it’s just not for them.”

USQ is Queensland’s only provider of surveying degrees and has the largest number of surveying and spatial science students in Australia, at more than 700 enrolments.

Applications for the next semester close July 12 so for more information, visit www.usq.edu.au/study.