Lady tradies
“IT’S your kitchen, you know how you use it, so you are the best person to design it.”
I never expected to hear such words from a tradesperson, and I was sold from that moment on. That tradie experience resulted in a functional, minimalist galley kitchen that has served our family well for the past decade.
And the tradie responsible will forever remain in my phone under the name “Heidi kitchens”. Heidi was a breath of fresh air and brought an empathy and cost/time-efficiency to the job that saw me recommend her to no fewer than six other clients.
Are efficiency and empathy gender-based traits? Highly unlikely and certainly not the point of this discussion, but it was definitely unusual to be dealing with a female for a plumbingbased home renovation.
Why are there so few female tradies?
I always dreamt about working as a labourer when I was at uni, a job outdoors that would keep me fit. But I imagined the appearance-based judgments and comments about my perceived strength and ability. I didn’t have the stomach for that much potential derision.
But times have changed. And surely the poetic beauty of the term ‘lady tradie’ is enough to encourage more young girls to study a trade.
Ironically, as a communications professional I often struggle to describe my work — I’m almost tempted to take up carpentry purely for the pleasure of saying “I’m a lady tradie.” Unfortunately, as a 40something, I think I’ve missed my opportunity.
But for so many others, particularly in Geelong, there are opportunities aplenty.
According to Department of Employment figures, construction trades have 55 per cent of vacancies unfilled, automotive trades 59 per cent and for building professionals it’s a staggering 67 per cent.
More tradespeople are needed in Australia, with most trades listed as skills shortage areas nationwide. Despite this need, women are much less likely to consider doing a trade, with only 2 per cent of tradespeople being female.
That’s right — 2 per cent.
There are people working to address this imbalance. Geelong Women in Trades (GWIT) is a grassroots Geelong network of women and girls who work in stereotypically male- dominated industries, particularly trades. Leesa Hanlon, centre manager of The Gordon and champion of GWIT, said: “In Victoria we are entering a major infrastructure pipeline of broad construction activity with related trade occupations. This means there are many job opportunities in the construction industry.” Ms Hanlon’s organisation’s objectives include: PROMOTING traditional trades as a realistic and viable career option for women of all ages; ENCOURAGING increased participation through collaborative skills initiatives; RAISING awareness of the unique qualities women have for a trade career; SHOWING the many career benefits and opportunities for women in trades; and ENCOURAGING the ongoing female mentorship of girls in trades. An early pioneer of females in construction and arguably Victoria’s first female registered builder is one Dr Susan Alberti AC. I learned the details and challenges that Dr Alberti faced in the industry last year as her biographer for The Footy Lady. Dr Alberti cut her teeth in business as head of the construction business she and husband Angelo Alberti built, which Dr Alberti ultimately took over after her husband was killed by a hit-and-run driver.
Dr Alberti is coming to Geelong as guest speaker for Geelong Women in Trades Female Diversity Breakfast fundraiser.
She will share with the audience her experiences working in male-dominated environments, including the AFL and the construction industry.
Geelong Women in Trades is delighted to host such a highprofile role model as speaker for the event. “Susan’s messages of personal resilience and the persistence she applies to everything are so important when discussing the issues we are facing today,” Ms Hanlon said.
“Women are underrepresented in the workplace, we have declining student numbers in VET, declining apprenticeship numbers and the fact there are jobs available in certain industry sectors, particularly construction, which are not being filled.”
Geelong is helping lead the shift to more women in trades through GWIT. For those interested in attending the breakfast at GMBHA Stadium on March 22, email: geelongwomenintrades@gmail.com or phone 0437 755 600.