The Wellness in Infrastructure (WII) initiative was developed in 2018 by a group of senior business leaders who wanted to collectively address the mental health and wellbeing challenges being encountered by professionals in the infrastructure construction industry.
The initiative was inspired by a study conducted by Professor Luke Downey from Swinburne University. This study – which incorporated feedback and insights from those in the sector – revealed that nearly half of the 683 infrastructure industry respondents suffered from burnout, while 85 percent reported moderate to high levels of stress.
WII was formed through the collaboration of volunteers from various Tier One and Tier Two infrastructure construction companies, Victorian Government authorities, and industry associations. From its onset, the initiative aimed to address the prevalent issue of poor mental health among infrastructure industry staff and the known industry factors contributing to adverse mental health impacts for the betterment of the industry.
Up until mid-2023, WII was led by a steering committee comprised of senior business leaders within the industry. This committee was supported by a working group of industry participants who were passionate about uniting and exchanging ideas on best practices. Since mid-2023, WII has been operating as a not-for-profit in Australia with a dedicated Board, Committees and base of volunteers. Together, they worked towards driving high-level change in infrastructure construction companies as a collective.
Since its formation in 2018, WII has achieved several milestones in its drive to improve mental health and wellness in the infrastructure construction industry. As part of a 2018 Industry Survey and Report, founding members of WII conducted the largest mental health/wellness survey in the sector, highlighting the unsustainable levels of compromised health and wellness from the respondents. A cross-section of more than 100 employees from participating companies were also involved in engagement workshops and assisted in identifying the factual causes of the current state of mental health in the industry.
Another key milestone was the establishment of the Integrated Approach to Wellness Program. This critical work demonstrated what is possible when taking a preventative approach to mental health and wellbeing. This program has continued to be implemented across several projects and programs of work after its successful piloting on the Mordialloc Freeway Project.
The establishment of the WII mentoring program has provided a platform for passionate industry mentors and mentees to enhance their skills, contributing to the transformation of the industry and improving the management of mental health issues in the present and future.
WII, in collaboration with Downey, undertook a five-year follow-up in late 2023, which gathered more than 1411 survey responses from the industry. The results reveal that workers in the infrastructure industry remain at some of the highest risk in society for burnout, declining mental health, stress, and dissatisfaction with work-life balance despite several minor improvements in the results of the last survey conducted in 2018.
WII has a track record of developing and providing programs and tools that have been validated to improve mental health, wellbeing, and productivity. The success of these interventions can be attributed to them being developed by, or in direction consultation with, industry professionals.
The infrastructure and construction industry continues to face challenges in terms of the mental health and wellbeing of its professionals. This crisis is having a negative impact on the industry’s productivity, diversity, and overall attractiveness. Therefore, it is crucial to address the physical and psychological risks that industry professionals encounter and improve their overall health and wellbeing.
This is where WII comes in to provide verified interventions, support, and resources to safer, healthier work environments that benefit employees and employers alike. WII has demonstrated a commitment to improving the industry, and its interventions have proven effective in improving mental health and business outcomes.
Today, WII is formally established as a not-for-profit, health-promoting charitable organisation that comprises a board of experienced individuals and more than 40 volunteers from across the industry. All are working towards a single goal, which is to achieve world-class mental health and wellness within the industry across Australia. WII has reached a definitive point in its storied journey, and to continue with the initiative, it requires funding and support from the industry to deliver on the mission successfully.
Upfront contributions to WII will help to employ key personnel to promote, administer, and expand the organisation as well as develop mental health framework tools and interventions designed specifically for the infrastructure/construction industry and to share best practice initiatives from across the industry. WII, along with its partners and supporters from across the sector, are aiming to create an industry that is more productive, rewarding, and sustainable for professionals of today and tomorrow. This is a direct investment into a brighter future for the industry.
Post Tags :
Share :
