Lady tradies lead by example in painting company
A Timaru painting company is showing women can do everything men can do, and hopes to encourage more to sign up.
Nearly half the workforce at Timaru-based painting and flooring company Ranger is female, something managing director Brad Sandri said ‘‘definitely is not reflective of the industry’’.
He said that when women first began to join the company about eight years ago, a few people challenged him on the decision to hire them.
‘‘We have had a few [women] come and go and we have supported them in the workplace if they become pregnant but we want to show women that the trade is an option.’’ Sandri said women still faced barriers coming into the industry because they did not think it was an option for them and because a lot of companies were owned by men who did not give women the opportunities.
Office manager Kelly O’Malley said employing women was essential to filling a 15-year hole in the workforce caused by a historic pause on apprenticeships and because women brought balance to the team.
‘‘We find there are different strengths and qualities, the women can be more organised, tidy and focused on detail,’’ she said.
‘‘They bring a different element that helps balance the workforce out, and we have a balance of age as well – from 18 to 64 years old.’’
In the past, the company has gone into schools to encourage girls to think of the industry as a career option.
Korlina Volkov, Laura Steer and Amanda Gillies are each doing an apprenticeship at Ranger; Sally Gaudin is about to start; and Hazel Jones has just finished.
They said they signed up for the apprenticeship for a variety of reasons, from being fed up with studying and wanting to do something practical to being drawn to the progression opportunities.
‘‘You can progress so far,’’ Jones said.
‘‘You can get into management roles, you can get into being a foreman, you can go up in it, you can run your own business, start quoting.’’
The women said work teams were always mixed so they all learned different things from each other and they ‘‘all do everything’’.
Jones said she sometimes found older women were the most judgmental about her career choice, perhaps thinking she should be doing a ‘‘traditional woman’s job’’, while the others said older male builders were the toughest because they were ‘‘intimidated’’ by the women.
Some thought older people found it reassuring having a female tradie work in their home and thought of them as ‘‘precise’’.
Most of them have come through Ara and have recently been working on the site, giving them the chance to be role models for the next generation of female workers.
International Women’s Day will be celebrated around the world on March 8, including a special event at Harlau House Cafe, Timaru.
Organisers say the event, headlined by endurance athlete Hollie Woodhouse (The Adventurous Kiwi) and MCd by certified life coach Tenika Reihana, will ‘‘actively challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements’’. Also speaking at the event is National Council of Women South Canterbury president Alison Jean Gray, educator and school counsellor Simone King and Leigh Marsden, owner of Yoga for Every Body.
Find the event on Facebook for more information and tickets.