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March 23, 2010 Dear Friend, 
Women in TradesWe recently received a request for SkillsOne to show more examples of women who have entered the areas of skills and trades. This was quickly followed by several other emails all linked to the same subject. Non-traditional trades offer generous rewards for those women who are looking for something different. While trades have been traditionally considered a male domain, the founder of a Werribee-based painting and decorating firm, Jocelyn Howard believes her gender is a commercial advantage. Jocelyn renamed her business ‘Painter Chicks’ and positioned it with a strong emphasis on the skills women have to offer. She has created a whole new demand for painters and interior decorators possessing 'a woman’s touch'. Jocelyn says it’s crucial to invest in trained staff. This is one of the reasons why Joanne completed a painting apprenticeship to become fully trained – and will become a business partner, not just colleague, with Jocelyn. They wear pink; they know their stuff; and they’re helping to change the face of trades. Another woman who challenged the gender stereotype is Jeanine Cooke, Construction Operations Manager of The Hedley Group in Cairns, one of the largest construction companies in Australia. Jeanine began her career as an interior designer, despite wanting to become a building apprentice at 16. “Females weren’t to be builders”, her family had said. Her entry into the industry didn't begin until she moved to Cairns in her 20s. Now, she is Operations Manager for the company, which has over 500 staff, with five divisions in the company including joinery, maintenance, construction and investments. Tracey Hickmott is an environmental officer working in one of the most unlikely places she imagined herself working: a mine. After six years studying in both TAFE and University, Tracey was able to enter an industry which is traditionally thought to ‘rape and pillage’ the land - to do just the opposite! She found out through a friend that mining had environmental rehabilitation programs - which allowed her to undertake a job she was passionate about, as well as being paid as well as others working in mining. Rachael Keily is another wonderful example of success. Rachael graduated from Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) as an apprentice plumber and not only was awarded the ACT Apprentice of the Year, but also Australian Apprentice of the Year, 2008. Fiona Shewring from Illawarra TAFE and one of our former winners of the Trade Teacher of the Year Awards, has just completed a research paper funded by the National Association of Women in Construction and supported by Illawarra TAFE NSW. Fiona travelled to the USA to conduct research into the avenues for women to enter non-traditional trades, and to compare those with Australia. You can view this important and insightful research paper on the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) website. SkillsOne has also selected some videos showcasing Women in Trades, listed below. |
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