More women are choosing a career in construction. Photo / Getty Images
More women are choosing a career in construction. Photo / Getty Images
More Bay women are choosing a career in construction.
Old school attitudes in a traditionally male-dominated industry are being pushed aside as more women switch jobs for a career in the trades.
The number of female apprentices has doubled at BCITO, one of the country's largest construction trade apprenticeship providers.
Suzanne Brotherton grew up around building sites.
The Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology associate dean of carpentry, construction, engineering and electrical used to run a family business in construction and removals.
She has also held administration and management roles in council, surveying, mining, automotive, electrical and building investment.
"It's part of my background."
Brotherton said females aged 18 to in their 50s were enrolled in construction and building courses at Toi Ohomai and their motivations for studying were also all different.
"Some are wanting to change careers, others are starting careers. A lot of women have been home with their children and have come back into the workforce.
"It has become more acceptable for women to be part of the trades."
Construction was not just about being on the tools and women brought good attention to detail and communication skills to the table, she said.
"The opportunity should be for anybody regardless of gender. Some of those old school attitudes need to be pushed to the side."
Toi Ohomai has 104 students enrolled across eight of its building and construction, architecture and carpentry courses - up from 67 in 2020, 71 in 2019 and 85 in 2018.
Primary industries trades and infrastructure faculty dean, Brian Dillon. Photo / Supplied
Primary industries trades and infrastructure faculty dean, Brian Dillon, said it was great to see more women choosing to study building and construction courses.
"There's no reason females shouldn't choose a career in the construction industry.
"Women can go into the construction industry with the knowledge that there are numerous opportunities for them, as much as there is for men."
BCITO chief executive Toby Beaglehole said they had 112 female apprentices aged 18 to 62 on their books.
Beaglehole said in the past three years more women nationwide had signed up for training with BCITO, which manages apprenticeships for the building and construction industry.
"Rising from 2 per cent to over 4 per cent, the number of women apprentices has effectively doubled."
New Zealander's perceptions of trade careers were changing, he said.
"An increased awareness of the many opportunities in trade careers is encouraging more women to give it a go."
There had never been a better time to sign up with the Government incentives of free training and apprenticeship boost, he said.
"It's a welcome development to see more women joining the traditionally male-dominated industries."
But Beaglehole said there was still a long way to go and BCITO hoped to raise the percentage of female apprentices by 2025.
National Women in Construction Bay of Plenty chapter chairperson Lynette Oxford said the organisation launched on March 3 last year and has 69 members in their mid-20s to 60s.
Since lockdown, Oxford said the membership had grown "remarkably".
Oxford said women brought a different perspective to the construction industry and provided a collective voice, as well as providing a wider talent pool.
"It has also been said that by bringing women into a male-dominated workplace, it creates a less harsh, more respectful, environment and the general morale of employees can be increased."
NAWIC, which aims to be the leading voice for women in the construction sector, holds regular events focusing on technical and professional development to inform and upskill women in the industry.
The membership includes quantity surveyors, project managers, suppliers, planners, designers, architects, engineers, tradespeople, students, salespeople, apprentices, health and safety managers and lawyers.
Oxford said it was a great time to consider a career in construction.
"We have seen many women from other working backgrounds change to a successful career in construction. We also want tradie dads to remember to hire their daughters."
