Construction seen through women’s eyes
you should go up the ladder
28 September 2020
I’ve been working in construction for six years. I was 27 when I changed careers; I was an accountant, I wouldn’t say I liked it, so I took the jump. At first, I didn’t want to go into construction because I thought it was a man’s world. I thought it’s not for women. My mum pushed me: ‘get a trade, get a trade, you’ll never be out of a job’. I put myself through evening courses at college whilst still in a full-time employer.
Just because we’re females, it doesn’t mean there’s an end to how far you go up the career ladder. It’s entirely down to you, the individual. If you see yourself in a particular place in 10 years, go for it. Just keep fighting. Guys will do the same thing, so do we.
Regarding what sex you are, it doesn’t determine how far you should go up the ladder or where you should stop in your career. Last year, I decided I wanted to move up. I tried to get off the tools and change to health and safety. You get responsibility. You’re looking after everyone on site.
My family is construction-based; I didn’t get any negativity when I told them I would get into it. My friends were great. I haven’t received any negativity. Everything was positive.
More girls are coming through in the past years. I’ve been on jobs where you have female sparkies, electricians, and plumbers. It’s not just trades, young people, school leavers. They’re put off by construction because they see it as a dirty job. We need more information; you don’t necessarily have to go into the building and be a tradesman. You don’t need to be a sparky, a chippy, or a plumber, there are health and safety, and then there’s management. There are so many different aspects. The best move I’ve done, that’s for sure.
Author – Kata Luca
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