International Women’s Day 2024 highlights the theme “Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.” Kaitlyn Brooks, a first-year apprentice working towards her Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations, embodies this theme in the male-dominated construction industry.
Employed by Skill Hire (Part of the IntoWork Group) and hosted by the Southwest Gateway Alliance in Bunbury, Kaitlyn is building a successful career in large-scale infrastructure projects. Her drive and talent have even made her a finalist for the prestigious Master Builders Australia WA Apprentice of the Year Awards. This achievement highlights her skills, dedication and the immense potential women bring to the field.
Kaitlyn says the support she received from Skill Hire and her employer was crucial to successfully transitioning into a trade as a female apprentice. “If someone had told me a year ago that I would be driving a dump truck, I would have never believed it. But here I am, loving every moment of it. Having the support of Skill Hire and the incredible people around me has made all the difference in my journey as a female apprentice.”
Kaitlyn is a key contributor to the Bunbury Outer Ring Road (BORR) project, a significant infrastructure development in the Southwest region. This 27-kilometre, four-lane road will connect Forrest Highway to Bussell Highway. Over the past six months, Kaitlyn has gained valuable hands-on experience operating various heavy equipment, including Water Carts, Rollers, Articulated Haul Trucks, Integrated Tool Carriers and Front-End Loaders.
“Kaitlyn is a shining example of the incredible potential women bring to the construction industry,” says Skill Hire Workforce Development Trainer Natasha Nardone. “Her involvement in the Bunbury Outer Ring Road project showcases her skills, determination, and ability to thrive in a male-dominated field. It’s fantastic to witness the increasing impact of women in trades.”
Skill Hire is committed to creating a fair and inclusive workforce, especially supporting women in non-traditional trades. Over three years, they’ve successfully increased female apprentice participation from 5% to 10% and boast an impressive 10% female representation in trade apprenticeships.
This accomplishment surpasses state and national trade participation rates for women, which currently stand at only 3%. While there’s still a long way off to achieving parity, Skill Hire’s recent efforts for inclusion show a promising trend towards a more balanced industry.
Reflecting on her journey so far, Kaitlyn has witnessed these changes firsthand. “It’s amazing to see that there are more females in the industry than I initially thought. Starting off as the only girl on a site and then being moved to a predominantly female site was a pleasant surprise. It just goes to show that with the right support and opportunities, women can thrive in any field,” she shared.
