31 minute read
Introducing the Five New Female MBA Staff Members
Introducing the 5 New Female MBA Staff Members
We are excited to introduce the 5 women who have recently joined Master Builders ACT.
The five women are:
> Jo Whitfield – Training Director > Alexandra Tupper – Events Manager > Amy Blyton – Accounts Assistant > Abigail Wakefield – Assistant Accountant > Abby Fulton – Communications Intern
Get to know the women below with this question & answer.
JO WHITFIELD What is your favourite book? I love anything by Jeffrey Archer which is fiction but currently I’m into “Happy” by Turia Pitt. She has some great life perspective and interviews some amazing people for the book.
Which movie do you think everyone should watch at least once in their life? It’s a tie between “The Imitation Game” with Benedict Cumberbatch and “Bombshell” with Charlize Theron. Both based on true life which makes them all the more fascinating.
What famous person alive or dead would you like to have dinner with? Marie Curie – my heroine
What is your favourite quote? “Success is never owned it’s rented, and the rent is due every single day”
Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life? Angelina Jolie
What is your favourite building in Canberra? My own home! But out of landmark buildings, the Hyatt Hotel. Beautiful 1920’s architecture blended with modern features, timeless.
What Canberra event do you look forward to the most? Multicultural festival – great food and atmosphere.
ALEXANDRA TUPPER What is your favourite book? Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Which movie do you think everyone should watch at least once in their life? Harry Potter
What famous person alive or dead would you like to have dinner with? Brett Young (American country/pop singer and songwriter)
What is your favourite quote? Everything Happens for a Reason
Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life? Anna Kendrick
What is your favourite building in Canberra? The Arboretum
What Canberra event do you look forward to the most? Night Noodle Markets
AMY BLYTON What is your favourite book? I don’t have a particular favourite book, but I do have two favourite authors, Non-Fiction – Cathy Glass and Fiction – Maeve Binchy.
Which movie do you think everyone should watch at least once in their life? Toy Story
What famous person alive or dead would you like to have dinner with? Julie Andrews
What is your favourite quote? Dance as though no one is watching you, Love as though you have never been hurt before, Sing as though no one can hear you, Live as though Heaven is on Earth.
Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life? Emma Watson
What is your favourite building in Canberra? Telstra Tower
What Canberra event do you look forward to the most? Skyfire and Floriade
ABIGAIL WAKEFIELD What is your favourite book? Anything non-fiction that can challenge my way of thinking. Two books I have particularly enjoyed recently are Lost Connections by Johann Hari & The Resilience Project by Hugh Van Cuylenburg.
Which movie do you think everyone should watch at least once in their life? The entirety of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Every single movie (& TV Show). There is something for everyone and they all tie together so well!
What famous person alive or dead would you like to have dinner with? JFK and Jackie Kennedy, such a powerful and iconic couple.
What is your favourite quote? “You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.” – Alice in Wonderland
Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life? Kayla Scodelario
What is your favourite building in Canberra? The Arboretum.
What Canberra event do you look forward to the most? The Canberra Airport open day has been my favorite event so far, but I have not lived in Canberra for too long, so I haven’t yet experienced much of what is on offer.
ABBY FULTON What is your favourite book? The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Which movie do you think everyone should watch at least once in their life? Kung Fu Panda
What famous person alive or dead would you like to have dinner with? Marilyn Monroe
What is your favourite quote? “Life is what you make of it. You can make it easy on yourself or you can make it hard”- Deep Roy
Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life? Mila Kunis
What is your favourite building in Canberra? The Margaret Whitlam Pavilion, National Arboretum Canberra
What Canberra event do you look forward to the most? Enlighten – Noodle Markets
WHY I CHOOSE TO TRAIN WITH THE MBA
Master Builders Group Training is here to encourage and support women in the construction industry and create highly skilled future members. But don’t take our word for it, hear from some of the women who already train with us.
I choose to train with the MBA GT because:
“I like being able to train in blocks and have hands on training that works for me. My employer, Pichelmann Custom Building Services, sends all of their apprentices here. It’s also great to be able to have those practical skills that you get from learning a trade.” - Lilly Pichelmann “I saw a poster advertising training in carpentry at the MBA and I thought it would be a good way to get into the industry. I enjoy training here so I’m really glad I made that decision.” - Kaylee Gregory
“They are highly supportive of female tradespersons and have a great team of trainers and good facilities. The best thing about training with MBA is the comfortable sense of family amongst peer apprentices and trainers. I looked forward to tech sessions and had so much fun while learning valuable skills alongside my peers. As a female, I was always respected and encouraged to expand beyond my comfort zone in order to better my skills in the industry. MBA helped me find the confidence to thrive in my career as a carpenter.” - Ally Knights
“The Women in Trades program introduced me to the MBA and I continue to train with the MBA because of the ongoing support they provide me. Whenever I have questions or queries I always go to the trainers because they are always willing to help. If they don’t have an answer, they always get back to me with something and provide the right guidance.” - Anita Hac “Having the job security that MBA provides is really good, also my family thought the MBA would be better suited for me. I like that anytime I have asked my trainer for help, he has been able to provide me with an answer that worked for the situation. Some of my peers come here for training, which is great because I don’t feel like I have been thrown in the deep end and am offered practical advice.” - Julia Drew
“My employer sends all of their apprentices here because they’ve built up that relationship with the MBA. I like doing stuff with my hands and creating things and this training helps me follow my passion.” - Isabel Casey
To start your own training journey with the MBA, call (02) 6175 5900 or visit our website.
Stop and Smell the Roses
Able Landscaping sowed their first seed back in 1971 as a residential landscaping business, and they have now blossomed into Canberra’s largest commercial landscaper. They specialise in delivering landscape and minor civil construction projects as a principal contractor and subcontractor with the ACT and Federal Government and various local companies.
They also offer a wide range of landscaping services including reinforced concrete paving, bitumen straw mulch, excavation, irrigation, gravel paving, playground installation, security works, topsoiling and more. They create stunning landscapes for schools, playgrounds, offices, parks, embassies and commercial developments. They operate with a key focus on client collaboration to deliver the highest quality finished project.
Able Landscaping have displayed an outstanding contribution to shaping Canberra’s landscape over their 50 years of operation. They are responsible for major landscaping projects around the region including: Parliament House, Australian War Memorial, Australian Botanical Gardens, the ANU precinct, Reconciliation Place, development of Gungahlin, Weston, Molonglo Valley, Tuggeranong and Belconnen. Able Landscaping was recently awarded the Landscape Design and Commercial award at the 2020 Master Builders and Asset Construction Hire Excellence Awards. More recently, Able Landscaping completed the landscaping on the Tirri Wirri School to create a space that caters for children of all abilities.
Director, Jodie Ridley, began her journey with Able Landscaping as part of the accounts team, and in 2018 she and Johnny Noja purchased the business from Joe Meneghel. The company was founded by local farmers, Robert Campbell and Peter Morrison back in 1971. It may have once been a two-man operation, but the company has now grown to 50 staff members. Joe Meneghel’s hard work and dedication to Able Landscaping was instrumental in taking the business to the level it operates at today.
Recently, Able Landscaping completed one of the company’s largest projects to date at the ANU, Kambri redevelopment. The project consisted of the redevelopment of the main forecourt with extensive amounts of soft and hard landscaping over a 5-month period. This project required precise planning and coordination of multiple trades and suppliers and as the project was nearing completion, there were up to 60 employees and subcontractors working simultaneously to meet the client’s completion date.
Able Landscaping have grown to now own and operate its own plant and machinery, which includes: > Bobcats > Excavators > Trucks > Water trucks > Seeders > Required tools and equipment > Trimble GPS setout system
MEMBER MILESTONE 30 YEARS
Able Landscaping are a favoured subcontractor amongst our members. Ben Helmers, Managing Director of Woden Contractors describes the professionalism displayed by Able Landscaping, “Over our many years of working together Able Landscaping continue to provide an outstanding service. Able has worked with us on many challenging projects and were instrumental throughout the final stages of construction.”
Able landscaping was engaged to undertake the external works package at the Australian National University Union court upgrade, Kambri. Ben Owen from Lendlease Building says of their work on the project, “Able Landscaping was able to demonstrate innovative approaches to their work by accelerating the works through various stages, such as the use of a paving machine to assist in reducing manual handling risks in the installation of pavers on University Avenue. It is a pleasure working with their team and we would not hesitate in recommending Able Landscaping.”
With multiple entries in this years’ Excellence Awards, we look forward to seeing what is next for this incredibly successful company.
BUILD LIKE A GIRL: A Program that has Created a Movement
When Jo Farrell started out in the building industry over 20 years ago, she had many doors slammed in her face, because the industry wasn’t prepared for the power of a woman on a building site. Jo has worked hard, challenged stigma and empowered other women, all while building a high-profile career in the construction industry. She is now the General Manager at Kane Constructions.
During her two decades of experience in construction, Jo has endured the discrimination of being a female in a predominately male industry. Her experiences drove her to start Build Like a Girl, a non-profit movement that encourages women to train, become employed and stay employed in the construction sector. Jo says the movement aims to create, “High volume tangible change with women getting into trades, through better collaboration with industry bodies and change providers and building relationships within the industry. We also want to provide support and mentoring for women that continues after they are employed too,” Jo said.
Jo approaches the construction industry with the belief, “Your gender should not inhibit you from working in the industry at all,” and it’s on this foundation that the program was built. It also resembles some of the best career advice that she ever received from her industry mentor of 15 years who said, “Don’t take no for an answer and don’t be afraid to change the status quo.” Jo is on a mission to stave off stigmas and work to create positive cultural change.
Jo’s own advice to women in the industry, “You need to work hard to get anywhere, and you need to embrace the good, the bad and the ugly. Walk in with your eyes open, it’s important to remember that construction is an art form in itself, and it can stand the test of time.” Her passion for construction and her appreciation of brilliant buildings, has kept her spark alive, even when faced with ridicule when at times she was the only female onsite.
With Build Like a Girl reporting that women make up just 2% of the building industry, there is a clear disparity amongst industry gender representation. But it’s a complex issue and it can be hard to figure out where the issue lies, “It’s interesting we’re hearing from women looking to get into the industry who have knocked on a lot of doors and can’t be taken seriously, and on the other end we’re hearing companies say that they can’t find any female workers, it’s almost like ships passing in the night,” Jo explained. Considering the long hours and high stress that can come along with the job, Jo offered some advice to employers looking to attract more female workers, “You need to cater for women in the business, female toilets are a great start but it’s all about having open discussions about how our behaviour needs to be tweaked a little bit. Companies don’t realise that you don’t need to paint the walls pink. It’s about making the industry more appealing to everyone, and more female workers will follow naturally.”
Build Like a Girl will also be heavily involved with the Strathnairn Charity House project, which will be built and sold by women, with the profits going to charities that benefit women. Jo is also looking to introduce valuable workshops and new programs that will encourage women to get on the tools. We look forward to seeing greater female representation in our industry.
2021 STRATHNAIRN CHARITY HOUSE UPDATE
THE TURNING OF THE SOD
The sod has officially been turned on the Strathnairn Charity House, a house that will be designed, built, staged and sold by women. The project will benefit four local charities: Karinya House, Hands Across Canberra, Canberra City Care and Pegasus Riding for the Disabled.
Master Builders ACT President Graciete Ferreira, Ginninderry Training & Employment Manager Emma Sckrabei and Hands Across Canberra Chair Diane Kargas Bray AM, led the official turning of the sod. It was a successful event that marked the beginning of a monumental moment for women in the building and construction industry.
Participants from Ginninderry’s SPARK Women in Trades program will use the project as a live training site.
FORMER SPARK PARTICIPANT MAREE MACGREGOR FOUND HER DREAM JOB THROUGH THE PROGRAM.
CANBERRA’S BRIGHTEST SPARK
Meet the program breaking down barriers and changing lives in Canberra
Sitting in Canberra’s north-west and expanding over the New South Wales border, Ginninderry is one of Canberra’s newest developments. But it’s a development that’s about a whole lot more than just bricks and mortar.
“Ginninderry is very different from most developments. We approach every decision that we make with the triple bottom line approach. So it’s not just about economics, it’s also about the environment, and it’s about the social side of a project,” says Emma Sckrabei, Ginninderry’s Head of Community Training and Employment.
“You can build the most wonderful houses and the wonderful parks and streets. But if you don’t have a strong solid community, you don’t have a lot in my opinion. We believe that knowledge and education is power, and the more people that are educated, the more people that are working, the better that community is.”
In March 2016, the Ginninderry Joint Venture established the SPARK Training and Employment Program, to deliver a unique initiative that uses infrastructure works and commercial land sales to generate economic opportunities for the local community.
In partnership with Non-Government Organisations and Registered Training Organisations, SPARK delivers programs aimed at members of the community who are disconnected from the labour market, helping people take the next steps in training and employment.
“SPARK really focuses on working with those people in our community who are disconnected from the labour market, and who have maybe not had great experiences with education before. So it’s about supporting them, giving them some more knowledge, taking their blinkers off, letting them see what else is out there, and then supporting them on whatever education, training and/or employment pathway is right for them,” says Emma.
Since its inception, the award-winning program has delivered 1,160 training places to the local community, 423 unpaid work experience placements and 492 new jobs. And SPARK is
about a whole lot more than just the training. The program is designed with the participant at front of mind, and they’re engaged in a holistic way.
“It’s about how we support them in life, and how we help overcome the bumps in the road that come along. So when someone does our SPARK program, it’s not just about meeting them and getting them there for the first day. It’s supporting them along their whole journey, and we support them after the program finishes as well,” says Emma.
Like for SPARK participant Maree Macgregor. She had been struggling to get back into the workforce after a lengthy period off, raising her kids. She was already struggling to find a job, which was a blow to her confidence, when her husband was unexpectedly killed in an accident, leaving her shocked and heartbroken.
“Because of my age, I had a lot of trouble getting a job, and I was still mourning my husband, so I was wanting to work but not knowing if I could,” she said.
She came across Ginninderry’s SPARK Training and Employment Program, and went on to complete a Certificate II in Business, before going on to complete the SPARK Horticulture & Conservation Land Management Taster Program, which led her to discover a passion for horticulture. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but the support through SPARK meant she kept going.
“I actually nearly quit three or four times. It was a lot of maths and measuring and I’m not good at that at all, and I was nearly going to give up,” she said.
“Emma [Sckrabei] was wonderful, she just kept talking to me about it, saying, ‘I’m not gonna let you give up’. If it wasn’t for her and the SPARK programs, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
One of the big focusses for the SPARK program is training targeted at women, and programs include Women in Civil, Women in Trades, and Women Return to Work.
“Given that Ginninderry is a construction project, we know that there is a major skill shortage in the construction industry. And traditionally, construction has generally only recruited from 50 per cent of the population. So it makes sense that if construction is screaming out for people, that we developed a strategy to show women what a career in construction could look like,” says Emma.
“In 2019 and again last year, we partnered with the Master Builders Association and the ACT Civil Contractors Federation to deliver a specific programme to get more women into the civil industry. Because you can’t be what you can’t see.”
FORMER SPARK PARTICIPANT KERRY GIRVAN IS CARVING OUT A CAREER IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION.
The program is a hands-on, intensive course to help women into the world of construction, and includes industry placements. Over the two years, the program has had 20 women who completed it and went on to employment within the civil industry.
For 49-year old Kerry Girvan, the program opened up a completely new vocation later in life. Having previously worked in farming, horse work and cattle work, Kerry had never considered a career in construction, but she saw the Women in Civil Construction program pop up on the internet, and thought she’d give it a go.
While the manual labour side of the training didn’t phase her, Kerry was apprehensive about the bookwork, but with the help and support of her teachers, she sailed through the training.
At the end of the program, she secured a permanent job with BASE Contractors doing “a bit of everything” including cementing, levelling, laying slabs and digging trenches. Kerry says she can’t recommend the program enough, adding that “it’s opened everything up,” and given her “bigger opportunities to go further”.
“I have a constant wage coming in without having to worry about the drought,” she says.
For more information on the SPARK program and to see how it has changed the lives of more of its participants, visit ginninderry.com
Shaw Building Group’s 2021 Charity Bowls Day
Shaw Building Group ran their annual ACT Bowls Day on 4 March 2021, raising $123,667 for Carers ACT. The teams were tasked with dressing as a famous person they wish were still alive, with MBA staff member Laura taking out the prize for best dressed with her Princess Diana homage.
The MBA had a team of four talented women, who were pipped at the post by the Gerald Slaven Ford team by a slim margin. Despite not taking home the win, the team represented the fighting spirit of the MBA.
We profiled the four gifted women behind the MBA bowls team…
LAURA MCGEE (PICTURED) WAS A STAR PLAYER ON THE TEAM.
MARCIA (MARILYN MONROE) - FIDELITY FUND ADMINISTRATOR
Sporting inspiration: Johnathan Thurston
Marcia helps MBA members obtain their builders fidelity fund cover and certificates. She has become a very highly regarded team member in her seven years with MBA.
Marcia was selected for the team by MBA ACT CEO Michael Hopkins, because of her previous regional triumphs,, “I was recruited by Michael, and I had an unofficial role coaching the other team members. I noticed on the day that the greens were running fast so I was able to give the girls support with my previous bowling experience,” Marcia said.
Marcia’s style as a player is described as: > Smooth > Focused > Experienced
MILA (BRUCE LEE) - MBA FUNDING OFFICER
Sporting inspiration: Layne Beachly
Mila is responsible for apprentice payroll, apprentice recruitment, host employer recruitment and relationship management with both apprentices & host employers.
Mila was motivated to join the tournament because of her desire to represent the MBA and because of her personal experience with Carers ACT, “I wanted to be part of the day to support the charity. My mum cared for my grandmother for 12 years and she was supported by Carers ACT so I know how valuable their work is in our region.”
Mila was grateful she got the opportunity to hear a local woman talk about her own experience with Carers ACT, “My favourite part of the day was listening to a young girl telling her story about how Carers ACT have supported her family and given her opportunities. I was also pretty excited to be the successful bidder for the Charcoal BBQ, but my husband… not so much!” Mila said.
Mila’s style as a player is described as: > Amateurish > A team-player > Secretly competitive
LAURA (PRINCESS DIANA) WINNER OF BEST DRESSED AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND LEGAL ADVISOR
Sporting inspiration: Wayne Gretzky
Laura is a welcomed new addition to the Member Services team, assisting members by providing general legal advice, industrial relations advice and assisting with debt recovery and contract disputes. Laura says she was aided by her prior bowls experience, “I think my ten-pin bowling experience aided my lawn bowls technique, lawn bowls isn’t huge in Canada so I was lucky to have some other bowling experience.”
Laura was eager to be part of the bowls day saying, “It was great getting out there for a good cause and it was a good opportunity to meet other members of the industry. Plus, I wanted to represent the Member Services team, and I hope I did them proud.”
Laura’s style as a player is described as: > Improved > A slow starter > Determined to win
THE MBA TEAM - FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: MARCIA DOUCH, MILA BARTHOLOMEW, LAURA MCGEE AND COURTNEY JOHNSON.
THE DRESS CODE WAS FAMOUS PEOPLE THEY WISH WERE STILL ALIVE, AND STEVE IRWIN WAS A POPULAR COSTUME CHOICE.
COURTNEY (JANIS JOPLIN) - SHORT COURSE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Sporting inspiration: Jo Weston
Courtney is a valued member of the Short Course team who is responsible for the successfully delivery of Traffic Control, Implement Traffic Control Guidance Plans, Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials, First Aid and CPR.
Courtney decided to join the team, eager to involve herself in the community spirit, “I joined the day because of the social aspect and getting to meet other people in the construction industry. I was also excited to bond with the brilliant women in the MBA team. It was great to be able to meet so many MBA members too.”
Courtney’s style as a player is described as: > Hopeful > Fun-loving > Keen to learn
INSPIRED BY EUROPE. DESIGNED FOR AUSTRALIA
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THE JOURNEY UP THE CORPORATE LADDER
with Sarah Mason-Jones and Rebecca Scully from Trinity Law
SARAH MASON-JONES
Sarah Mason-Jones describes her start at Trinity Law as her first “real” job, starting in 2008 as a graduate. Sarah says of her first position in the company, “That role saw me work across all of Trinity’s teams and be involved in a wide variety of matters – in my early years I routinely worked on debt recovery, building and other disputes and residential sales and purchases.”
Sarah is now one of the Partners at Trinity Law and as she says, “At heart I am a property lawyer, and I work across Trinity Law’s Property and Small and Medium Enterprise teams.”
Sarah is passionate about the legal industry and so much so that she shares her knowledge with 3 junior lawyers through the Trinity Law mentoring program. When asked what she loves about the industry Sarah says, “I love being able to help people achieve a tangible outcome – settling on a house, locking away a joint venture, getting a property leased. It’s even better when all advisers to a transaction share this same view and we can work together in a practical and useful way. I also love that I have been able to build some great relationships with clients over the years and have been able to see businesses grow and develop.”
LEFT TO RIGHT: TRINITY LAW DIRECTORS SARAH MASON-JONES AND REBECCA SCULLY
REBECCA SCULLY
Rebecca Scully started at Trinity Law as a receptionist when she was in the process of finishing her studies. She is now Principal at Trinity Law, specialising in property development and commercial property including acquisitions and disposals and retail and commercial leasing.
For Rebecca, her passion for the legal field has been evident since her teenage years, “I knew from about age 16 that I wanted to be a lawyer but not the area I wanted to specialize in. Initially the attraction was a natural affinity for problem solving and written advice and I had not imagined working in the commercial property and property development spaces until I started at Trinity Law and became attracted to this type of work,” Rebecca said.
Rebecca quickly showed a lot of promise in her role, “On my third day as receptionist I was promoted to paralegal, assisting one of the partners John Irvine. Since then and in my 8 years at Trinity I have subsequently been promoted to Solicitor, Associate and now Principal so you could say I have worked across almost every position in the firm which has provided an excellent foundation for my career.” Rebecca’s career progression is a great success story for other female professionals looking to progress their careers in a male dominated field.
Rebecca is committed to sharing her experience in the industry saying, “We have a mentoring program within our firm under which I mentor two junior solicitors within the firm. Outside of this I have maintained close relationships with a number of young lawyers that have previously worked at Trinity Law and engaged in assisting them grow their careers in other areas.”
From Little Things Big Things Grow Q. What’s the best career advice you’ve received? S: Diversify, don’t have all of your eggs in the one basket. Sam Hodson purchased Capital Asphalt back in 2016 as N: Don’t take no for an answer. an existing small-scale business with 5 crew members and Q. What is your favourite part about working in the after 6 months, Nathan Ellwood bought into the company. construction industry? The business has grown from fixing footpaths to major civil projects around the Canberra Region. Capital Asphalt have S: I love the people. It’s extremely satisfying seeing the job from made themselves an integral part of the Canberra Civil the start, quoting it, winning it, doing our pre-site meetings and Sector, and are growing our region through building and all the way through to delivery and close out. employing local. We sat down with Sam and Nathan to find N: I like Canberra because it’s a close-knit community in out more about the Capital Asphalt Team. construction. I know who they are and they know who we are and we talk and say hello and there is always opportunity to work with them. There’s loyalty in Canberra with companies which is good to see. Q. What do you think that companies can do to attract more women to join the construction industry? S: Highlight the roles in the industry and provide women with a breakdown of what they would be doing. There’s a lot of roles in this industry, so it’s about emphasising the different roles out there and that would suit.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DIRECTOR SAM HODSON, DIRECTOR NATHAN ELLWOOD AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER CHRIS BIMROSE
BELOW: PHOTO FROM THE LAUNCH OF CAPITAL ASPHALT’S NEW ASPHALT PLANT N: That’s a good question. Probably more education around what they can make, everyone sees an asphalt salary starting at $50,000 but those workers that start on a base salary do so much overtime that they end up making $150,000. There needs to be more education about what can be achieved if they put in the hard work. This would attract any one male or female.
While Sam and Nathan welcome female applications for onsite roles there is an intelligent and determined team of women running the office.
We spoke with three of the women at Capital Asphalt:
> Yanny Zou, Finance Manager
> Kristina Anderson, Office Manager
> Leisa McDonough, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager
Q. What attracted you to the construction industry and a role at Capital Asphalt?
Y: Capital Asphalt is a local company with very nice people and a welcoming environment. I love the company culture and I believe I fit in the team very well. Also, when I first started in 2018, Capital Asphalt was still very young and I saw this as an opportunity to contribute my professional skills to a fast moving company.
K: I love that Capital is a locally owned business. It’s different every day; challenging and diverse. Sam’s daughter and my daughter went to preschool together and Sam’s wife Claudia & I became great friends. Claudia & I were at coffee one day and she asked if I wanted a job, I’ve never looked back.
L: I like a challenge and believe learning new things is always interesting and keeps you on the go. Capital Asphalt is a very caring, family orientated business that’s immensely progressive.
Q. What’s some of the best career advice you’ve received?
Y: As an accounting and finance professional, the best career advice I’ve ever received is ‘think of yourself as a lifelong learner’, because we always need to keep learning in today’s dynamic, challenging and demanding business environment. K: Find a job you like, there’s nothing worse than going to work every day and not enjoying it. But also, I think treat others the way you would like to be treated yourself.
L: Just give it a go. Give it a go and give it all your best. Learn from your mistakes and your shortfalls, but give it a go.
Q. Who is your career role model?
Y: Melinda Gates. She is a great female leader, a brave campaigner for women’s rights and a respectable charitarian – she is everything I hope to be.
K: I read this article recently about Jennifer Robinson, she’s an Australian Human Rights lawyer and she comes from a small town in Berry and just through sheer hard work, has become very successful in London. She’s self-made but she’s got that humble, hard-working Australian attitude.
L: I don’t have one particular person but my career role models would be any female coming into a male dominated industry and hanging in there and there’s some really great women out there giving it a go.
Q. How can employers attract more women to join the construction industry?
Y: To attract more women to onsite roles, employers need to provide more suitable safety equipment and workwear in different sizes and styles. Employers also need to provide essential facilities like female toilets and changing rooms. I hope the gender gap in the construction industry will be narrowed through all our efforts in the long term.
K: I think parents and teachers should recommend a diverse scope of jobs available under the construction umbrella to female students.
L: Employers need to know that women are willing to give things a go and often strive to make a difference in the workplace.
YANNY ZOU, FINANCE MANAGER KRISTINA ANDERSON, OFFICE MANAGER LEISA MCDONOUGH, HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER
