The third annual Women in Trades event was held at the Proclima Hub in Auckland on Tuesday 11th September and was considered by attendees & supporters to be “the best yet!”
Women only make up 3% of the trades workforce so this specialty event provides an opportunity for women to meet, mix and mingle with tradeswomen, employers and trades training providers as they learn about different trades and the pathways to pursuing a career in the trades.
Johnstone Construction were proud to be involved providing attendees with the chance to “give it a go” in one of the variety of trades activities. Our fearless team of Tane, Ti and Krissy guided the women as they tested their skills moving piles of dirt in one of our diggers. Many of the participants commented that it was a real thrill to have the opportunity to do something completely new and different.
The ‘Give it a Go’ activities were followed by a Keynote speech and panel discussion about the challenges and opportunities for women considering a trades career. The message to attendees was that traditional preconceptions about women entering trades are being broken down and they should not see it as a career only for the boys.
The keynote was delivered by Pip Buunk who received Women in Trades inaugural Keynote Speakers Award, sponsored by Mitre 10, for her groundbreaking role as New Zealand’s only registered female driller. Pip shared her inspiring story encouraging the women in attendance to follow their hearts and pursue the career that's right for them, not what might traditionally have been expected of them.
The panel was made up of a diverse group of women from across the trades spectrum -
Jackie Mason, Registered Plumber and owner of Mason Plumbing Ltd.
Harmony Court, Registered Electrician at Leck Electrical Ltd (first female winner of the Master Electrician’s Apprentice of the year Challenge).
Brenna Bishop, pre-trade carpenter with Unitec/MPTT.
Sarah Murray, Qualified Carpenter and Licensed Building Practitioner at Buildtech (Committee member of NAWIC - National Association of Women in Construction).
Brooke Tawhara, Apprentice Alloy Boat Builder at McMullen & Wing.
Johnstone Construction have been involved with the Women in Trades events since their inception as we are committed to seeing more women enter the trades and trades training.
Ti Vercoe, Apprentice Carpenter at Johnstone Construction, was thrilled to be involved in the evening. He summed up the essence of the event; “It was really neat to share my knowledge with the women, mentoring and guiding others is such an important part of the learning process in construction and I loved having the opportunity to do that.”
This was echoed by the women in attendance. Aynslee Wilson of Unitec expressed a sentiment felt across the evening; “Seeing women who are tradespeople is empowering! I love knowing women can do it too and it is accepted in society.”
For more information about Women In Trades visit https://www.womenintradesnz.com/
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