Women building careers In construction
‘Give it a go’ — that’s the advice from three women in the industry
Rebecca Mclean grew around construction. She remembers choosing carpet colours and reading building plans from a young age. Now the 42-year-old owns her own building company.
“I’m a builder’s daughter. It’s in the blood I guess.”
Mclean has held roles in kitchen design, commercial office fitouts, carpentry and sales and marketing. Her latest role is running her Katikati company Tiny House Builders, which she started in 2017.
About three and a half years ago, Mclean moved from Auckland to Katikati after her tiny home received plenty of interest at a Tauranga Homes Show.
What was originally meant to be a hobby business had grown into a big success, she said.
“Business is going really well. We are fully booked to March next year.”
What Mclean loved the most about her job was the creativity.
“Having been in so many facets of construction, bringing it all together is enjoyable.”
Mclean works alongside her sister Naomi Mataic as administration manager and Cathy Norman as the purchasing and production coordinator.
Although some people were still surprised to see a female-led building company, Mclean said most were refreshed by the idea.
Her advice to other women wanting to enter a career in construction was to give it a go and forget about the old-school idea of the industry being just for males.
“Times are changing.”
‘Sense of satisfaction’
up
A school woodwork class nailed down Paeone Hawkins’ decision to pursue a career in the trades.
“Ever since then I’ve wanted to be a builder.”
The 19-year-old started her threeyear apprenticeship with BCITO this year.
Hawkins hoped to get a taste of project management and start her own contract working in residential building and renovations by the time she turned 30.
“That would ultimate goal.”
Working in a typically maledominated industry was easy, Hawkins says.
“I’ve grown up with two older brothers, so being around the guys and giving them the hard word has always been easy,” she jokes.
Hawkins says the best part about the trades was being able to build things.
“I love envisioning something and
be
my seeing it come to real life. It gives me that real sense of satisfaction.
“It’s being able to build something for yourself and standing back and saying: ‘Wow I just built that’.”
Her advice to females thinking of getting into the trades was to give it a go.
“Don’t think about being the only girl there. Give yourself the selfmotivation.”
Every day is different
“One of the things I love about my job is that no day is ever the same.”
Tayler Matthews can be in a client meeting for one project in the morning and on-site for a different project in the afternoon.
Matthews says working in the construction industry is “extremely fastpaced” with lots of moving parts.
But the 28-year-old says it can also be “quite thrilling”.
Matthews is the assistant development management and property adviser at Veros, which has offices in Tauranga, Rotorua and Hamilton.
“One of the best feelings is being able to create something from the ground up.
“Working in construction enables a feeling of achievement and develops a passion for building/creating places, something which should be possible for everyone.”
Matthews studied architecture at the University at Auckland and completed her masters in urban design.
While at university, Matthews gained “invaluable” on-site experience working in a part-time construction support role for a project management company.
After graduating, Matthews travelled Europe and worked in London in a construction support role focusing on office fitout and refurbishment.
Returning to New Zealand, Matthews worked as an urban designer for two years with a team delivering greenfield and brownfield masterplanning projects throughout Auckland.
Her move to development management means she is a key driver in taking ideas from concept to completion. Her day-to-day role includes collaborating on reports and proposals, designing and strategising site plans.
“When an idea becomes a physical reality it’s the best feeling to see people getting to use and enjoy the spaces we have created.”