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mentoring A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 4
A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 4
Victoria: My first barrier was that I could not even get a start in the building industry. I was told it is not a place for girls you do not want to do that! As I was not a confident girl I did not begin my chosen career as a builder. I did other jobs until 10 years later I finally found my place in the trade industry, painting. I overcame that barrier by not giving up as soon as I had confidence I asked for a job in the trade again and the answer was yes!
FEMALE TRADIES IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY
Sheree: Some builders are reluctant to give a girl a start on their jobs. You just have to keep on trying; eventually you will get a start. Luckily for me, they were impressed by my work and speed so word of mouth soon got around.
“My buildings will be my legacy…they will speak for me long after I’m gone” – Julia Morgan
Penny: One of the barriers you do experience in the builders trade is trying to get a break in a male dominated industry. I first completed my metal fabrication trade when I finished school, lets just say many years ago and was lucky enough to gain an apprenticeship, building racecars. Unfortunately the old man fell sick only just after my first year and had to shut up shop and unfortunately I did not have a job left. I rang every single metal fabrication business there was and there was no chance anyone would take me on for a few reasons but simply for the plain fact that there were not even any female facilities. Luckily enough a training company came along and swooped me up and I was able to finish a metal fabrication engineering construction trade.
Omesh Jethwani, NSW State Manager CAMS, interviewed four female tradies who started their own trade businesses; Victoria Waring, a painter from Ms.Fix, Sheree Canham, a bricklayer from Dolly Bird Bricks and siblings Penny Petridis, a carpenter and metal fabricator, and Anna Kay a licenced builder from Female Tradie, to find out why they decided to pursue a career in the building and construction industry. What attracted you to the building and construction industry? Victoria: The attraction to the trade was definitely making something better. Knowing that you have improved a building to enter a new chapter for its new owners or old owners wanting a change. It is also the freedom of being your own boss and creating your own destiny. Sheree: I guess the first reason I got involved with bricklaying is because my father is a bricklayer who also apprenticed both my brothers. I also love working outdoors and keeping fit. It is very rewarding to see the finished product at the end of the day whether it is a pizza oven or even just a retaining wall. Penny: I have always been intrigued with the architecture and structures of buildings. I would just stop and stare at the heritage buildings as they have so much history to them. Each and every one of them is telling a story. My passion grew stronger and stronger with the newer modern houses built over the last decade or so. Some of the buildings just blow me away with their grand designs. We have taken the building and construction industry to another level in every aspect from design and engineering to builders. This makes me want to be a part of it more and more and alongside that holding a vision of building my own dream home one day. Anna: It all started when my husband and I decided to build our own house. The plans were all approved and the challenge was to find a good honest builder. That was a challenge on its’ own. With both not knowing much about the building trade and whether the tradies were carrying out the job the right way, I decided to go to TAFE and complete a Diploma in Building. This really helped me learn about the construction industry and I was able to make sure everything was constructed correctly. Watching and working on our house from a big hole in the ground to an architecturally design house was the very exciting and the most important, very satisfying. I was so proud of what I had achieved and thought to myself that a licenced builder is what I wanted to be. I found the construction industry was very exciting, challenging, and it changes every day in design and construction. That is why I was so attracted to it.
What were some of the memorable projects you worked on? Victoria: I would have to say the historic restoration projects are always amazing, restoring a piece of history. Also painting my own home which has been the most challenging and memorable to date as it was done be myself and reflects my personal tastes in painting. Sheree: At Milton Park (Bowral) the job involved various arches and brickwork to blend into the already existing old style buildings. There was also a brick spa bath. Completing my first house on my own. Competing in the World Skills Bricklaying competition in my first year. Having a personal best amount of bricks or blocks laid in one day and the signing of my first apprentice. Penny: When I first finished my carpentry trade my first biggest project was to transfer a friends’ garage to a one bedroom apartment for her sick grandma. All that was there was half a concrete slab and a flimsy corrugated roof. I managed to convert it into a modern brand new apartment. I designed every single part of it, plumbing, electrical, floor design, kitchen and cabinetry, which was all very new to me. I then went ahead and built it and was very impressed with the finished project — definitely a memorable project. Another memorable project was being involved with the refurbishment of the second level of a bar/nightclub called Ruby Rabbit on Oxford St. This was exciting, as I had previously mostly worked on residential so to be involved with the design and construction of the second level was also a memorable achievement. Anna: My house of course as it was the first projected I had ever worked on and it is my special baby. My two uncles at Nexus Architecture designed it and Penny Petridis my sister, Female Tradie, helped build it so it is a special family affair project that we all enjoyed. What are some of the barriers you experienced in your trade? How did you overcome them?
Now, almost 20 years after the completion of my carpentry trade, I want to move towards the building trade and it still amazes me that we only have a few women in trades. I too struggle to find contract work with bigger building companies as I feel they still seem to hold this barrier between us and I sense that they still are not quite sure. Luckily enough now these companies are starting to open their minds to female tradies and gradually more and more opportunities are coming our way. I overcome these barriers by working in my own business, Female Tradie, alongside my sister builder Anna Kay. We prove ourselves through our hard work and quality completed projects. We keep moving forward from job to job because every project I complete creates another believer that female tradies are completely capable of doing the job and everyday I still get to fulfil my passion within the building industry. Anna: There is no doubt that the construction industry is still maledominated, and there are many who will not give women a chance to progress. That was the biggest barrier I had to face. I had plenty of experience dealing with this problem from my previous career. I was an Avionics Aircraft Engineer, yes very male dominated. My experience in this area gave me the opportunity to become a leading hand, so I knew that I could do it again. My aim was to try and focus on being a professional in the industry, rather than a woman, and I never shied away from a challenge. I showed everyone that I was capable of carrying out my duties by forming a good relationship with my fellow workers and building a strong bond with them. That would help them build a trust in me and accept me as one of the crew. Do you think having a mentor plays a significant role in helping female apprentices?
Victoria: Yes I think so. They have the opportunity to speak to a third party about issues or for advice. It is always easier to speak to someone who has no connection with your work place and it is a valuable experience to be able to talk to an industry professional. Sheree: I never had a female mentor and I believe it would help for sure. Penny: Yes I definitely think a mentor will play a significant role in helping the girls; someone to keep them inspired if the going gets tough or to even share some tricks of the trade. Mentors are a great thing no matter what industry you are in or level you are at. If you want to grow its always so much more easier and more enjoyable with a mentor alongside you. Anna: Yes I think it is important having a mentor with the female apprentices. It helps motivate them, teach them in a specific way to work hard to uncover their true potentials, and overcome their barriers, especially that barrier of being a minority in such a male dominated trade. Mentors give inspiration and the drive needed to direct them, or better yet show them the example by which we will change for the better. They help them become a stronger person. People who are constantly striving to improve themselves will tell you one thing for sure, something they all have in common is having role models in their lives. Did you have a mentor? If yes, how did they contribute to your career? Victoria: No but I wish I did it would have been great! Sheree: Yes. It gave me goals and made me strive to be as good as them Penny: Apart from my sister I also have a personal mentor/coach not only for work related issues but also who helps me in all areas of my life. Without them lets just say I would not be the person I am. Anna: Yes I had and still have my sister Penny as my mentor in the construction industry. Penny has been in the industry for over 10 years. This has given her an extensive amount of experience in a number of trades. Working together gives us a different perspective when trying to solve problems or trying to come up with new ideas on how things are going to be built. As a role model she changes my outlook on certain issues. She has helped me have a positive outlook, that all problems can be resolved with time and of course money. She has this saying, “It can’t be that hard!” She is my rock and always works so hard to help and satisfy others needs. She is a great person to have in my life as a mentor. If you could change one thing in relation to your current trade what would it be? Victoria: I would not change anything about my trade, I love my job. Sheree: There is too much red tape. Time taken to do tool box meetings, risk assessments, safe work method statements and site inductions use bricklaying time that we do not get paid for when it all just comes down to common sense.
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Penny: The most obvious I guess. Give the females a GO, not only in the earlier stages such as apprentices but also in the higher building/supervisors positions. Do not second guess just get us on board. You will be pleasantly surprised Anna: The construction industry is so diverse and offers so many options and variety. That is why our company (Female Tradie) is trying to get out there to the public and inform other females to give it a go and find a career in the construction industry. Let us not be a minority, our aim is to see more women running businesses in our industry. What is one advice you would give to the next generation of female students considering a trade in the building and construction industry? Victoria: I would say go for it, do not give up. Follow your heart and the trade will be the best job you will ever have. Sheree: Make sure you enjoy and take pride in what you achieve and do not give up at the first roadblock. Penny: My motto is never to give up. If you want it bad enough there is nothing stopping you. If you are finding it tough and think you’re at your lowest, keep positive and push through because I am sure through hard work and dedication no one can deny your dreams. Just go out there and grab them. Anna: The construction industry is great industry to be part of. It gives you a very practical view on the world. You learn to recognise problems and figure out how to solve them. It is a very dynamic one with new projects, new technologies and methods being announced regularly. The construction industry is not just about building. It has so many avenues to pursue a career in such as engineering, site surveying, interior design, quantity surveying and even landscape. They are all highly technical and interesting. There is a job to suit everyone. Working hard may lead down so many paths, running your own business or travelling interstate or around the world. The Master Builders Association will run a pre-apprenticeship course and mentoring program for female building apprentices in June 2014. If you are interested in employing a female apprentice contact our CAMS Team: Omesh Jethwani, NSW State Manager or Jack Long, Apprenticeship Mentoring Officer on 02 8586 3555 or email ojethwani@mbansw.asn.au or jlong@mbansw.asn.au The NSW Government through Women NSW supports the Women in Construction project.
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