More than 40 students from Otago Girls’ High School, Queen’s High School and Taieri College participated in a ‘‘women in trades day’’, which began with making a planter box and culminated in an exclusive visit to the new hospital inpatients building site, led by CPB project manager Jason Tutty.
Several of the students became aware of the opportunities on a build the size of the $1.88 billion hospital project, due to be complete by 2031.
Queen’s High School students Belle Scott, 15, and Efa Johnston, 15, said they were keen to get into construction.
‘‘I grew up on a farm and that was always really hands-on. So I suppose I was just really interested in getting in there and getting hands-on experience,’’ Bella said.
Efa said her brother’s work as a welder and electrician encouraged her to give it a go.
‘‘It’s better than sitting at a desk all day.’’
Both said they would like to work on a major site such as the new hospital project because of the variety of skills it offered.
The day out was organised by ITM Mosgiel, Workforce Central Dunedin and the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO).
BCITO general manager Andrew Donohue said the construction industry was crying out for more young women and he hoped events such as yesterday’s opened young women’s eyes to the opportunities.
‘‘It’s the classic old ‘if you can see it, you can be it’ kind of thing.
‘‘I think that’s important for young girls to actually realise there is a future or an option or a career in the trades and that’s what it’s all about really, just giving them exposure to that.’’
Mr Donohue said the number of female apprentices in the industry had increased from about 3% to 6% in the past five years, which was ‘‘encouraging’’ but also showed there was room for improvement.
‘‘So, it’s important that it’s a partnership and a team effort.
‘‘We’ve found our employers and people that do take on females in the workforce say that they fit in well, they get on with the job, they do a good job and they can work as well, if not better, than male counterparts.’’
A similar event will take place next week in Queenstown, arranged by Breen Construction.
Breen Construction managing director Lindsay Breen said the upcoming building boom in Queenstown meant now was a perfect opportunity to ‘‘amplify’’ the need for more young women in the construction industry.
‘‘I think it’s about bringing more diversity — the way that we approach problems.
‘‘Construction is about resolving problems, moving forward, building things.
‘‘But of course, with diversity and females being part of that diversity story, then you can resolve problems in a different way. And I think that’s a big plus.’’
Mr Breen said he had about eight young women apprentices in his firm, and also encouraged women into the industry through trades in schools programmes.
‘‘The need’s always been there anyway and I think we can all see that the need will be there in the future.’’
