Program aims to Tackle Shortage of Women in the Property Industry

The Property Council of Australia’s, 'Girls in Property Program' has kicked off in the Hunter for the first time today. 

Fifty female year nine students from Hunter River High and St Pius X High School in the Hunter, will be exploring the in’s and outs of the property industry, taking part in the program which brings together some of the biggest property companies in NSW. 

The program aims to inspire more young girls to choose property as a career, with currently only 28% of leadership roles within the industry held by women.  

The day hopes to inform young girls about the extremely diverse range of careers and roles available within the property sector. 

"We really want to open up the conversation and talk to these girls about the myriad of different roles that they can access within the property industry," Mrs. Hugo said. 

"It's not just about construction and it's not just about engineering. There are professional services, there's architecture, there's planning, there are so many different areas that they could be looking at and so many more opportunities if they just knew what was available" 

During the day the girls will hear from women leaders in the property industry, develop real-life projects to represent their schools, and learn more about university education options related to property. 

"Relative to other industries there's so much more room to grow in terms of participation in diversity and sometimes its a case of 'you don't know, what you don't know'," Mrs. Hugo said. 

"Today they'll be talking to people about their journey and experiences and they'll start work on some really exciting processes that they need to be involved in." 

                               Image Source: Property Council of Australia 

Just another Problem for Keolis Downer in Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

There appears to be even more problems with Newcastle's private transport operator Keolis Downer.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp has been told by parents at St Pius X High School that buses have failed to pick their children up leaving them with no choice but to take them to school themselves.

On one occasion, a parent says the 816 bus that takes her son from The Junction to St Pius X High School failed to turn up twice.

Tim Crakanthorp says it's just not on.

"There's a lot wrong with this private operator at this point, but I've got real concerns with school kids being left alone on the side of the road with buses not turning up. That's a real problem."

Keolis Downer is already facing a lot of criticism across the board for their treatment of their drivers by underpaying them, not directly paying payments to superannuation and private healthcare, and also not handing over complete uniforms.

"It's up to this government to pull them into line, they've got a contract with them and there are rewards for increasing patronage, but I want to know if there are any penalties for missing kids, leaving kids on the side of the road and putting their health and safety at risk. That's what I want to know," said Tim Crakanthorp.

He says he'll be raising the issue in Parliament this week.

"I'm calling on Minister Constance to take control of this situation as we've had kids missed for buses for school on numerous occasions. So with over 300 bus services missed this minister really needs to step in ad pull this company into line. It's just not good enough."