Women break barriers
Trio thrive in male-dominated trade apprenticeships
APPRENTICING in a trade field has often been seen as “something for the boys” because the work involves “getting your hands dirty”.
And while these jobs are still very much male-dominated, a fair few of those who don’t mind the tough work are women.
The barriers and stigma surrounding blue-collar jobs are slowly being broken, and more women are coming on board to join trade apprenticeships.
About 21 women have received the Government Incentive Apprenticeship Training Grant, and among them are Ashinta Chand, Esther Radiva and Grace Drodrolagi.
Originally from Ra, Ms Chand said she had applied for an apprentice program. She initially had plans to take a Bachelor of Environmental Science but later got the call from Aquaheat to join their team.
She decided to plunge into this role two years ago and she has not looked back since.
“I chose to go into the trade field,” the 20-year-old said.
“I am a refrigeration and air-conditioning apprentice, and at the moment I am in the service division, so we deal with breakdowns, servicing and installation of air-conditioning units and refrigeration.
“When we first come to work, we check the updates in the group, they send us our job sites, so we check in the group to see where we are allocated to go. Then, we go to the stores, get the materials and start work.”
Her work mostly revolves around fixing and installing of refrigeration and air-conditioning units, which she started as an 18-year-old, straight out of high school.
“I enjoy my work a lot, it’s amazing. The people around me, and my company, are very supportive. I feel very proud being a girl, standing among all the boys.”
She said being in such a field was quite challenging at times, however, she was grateful to the team at work, and her family, for providing support.
“I am now going to complete my certificate in refrigeration and air-conditioning.
To all the women, I want to say don’t be afraid; just follow your heart.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by Ms Radiva and Ms Drodrolagi, both apprentices with Asco Motors.
Ms Radiva, 19, hails from Tailevu and has spent one year at Asco.
“So as apprentices, we are all helping hands in the garage so mostly we help in servicing, if the technicians need help in doing work,” she said.
“It is challenging, especially being a teenage apprentice. We have to remind ourselves that we have to do this, the only way to survive is to be strong.”
For Ms Drodrolagi, women can thrive in any field.
“I would say for me, the learning experience is really good, it also depends a lot on the environment, and I’ve really been getting good support team with the boys back at work,” the 23-year-old Kadavu lass said.
“It’s also because of the interest that I have; every day is a challenge but it’s just how you take it so it’s challenging, but really fun and exciting.”
She added that being in a trade field was “a handpicked thing” as she kept her career options open while growing up.
“After the COVID situation, I really just wanted to do something that a lot of people need, so picking up a trade and mechanical was something that I wanted to do.
“Yes, we are women, but we can do whatever men can do if you put your mind up to it.”
Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh has also called on more women to join the trade industry.
“It is very encouraging to see that girls are now taking up trades in terms of joining apprenticeship schemes and we would like to see more and more of them come in,” he said.
“We would like to see our women participating in all spheres of our national development and no job is exclusive to any gender.
“All jobs must provide equal opportunity and we believe in equal opportunity, and we are indeed happy that more girls take up this offer of an apprenticeship scheme and I am sure they excel. Girls always excel and they have all the confidence.”