Research shows trades "suffering from a lack of women"

On October 10, Stacey Mendonca and Jane Cuming attended the official release of the Women in Trades Research documents. The aim of the research is to increase the participation in and success of women in construction and engineering related trades, where they are traditionally under-represented. NAWIC was a key partner in this study, represented by Jenny Parker as President and now Immediate Past President.

This three-year project was jointly commissioned by the Ministry for Women and Ako Aotearoa and developed by five industry training organisations, the Manukau Institute of Technology, industry and educational organisations and secondary schools.

Chair of the Women in Trades consortia, Erica Cumming (BCITO and NAWIC member) says, “Trades can be as financially rewarding as getting a university degree, giving women the opportunity to earn as they learn and offer a fantastic work-life balance. Female school leavers who enter apprenticeships earn $145,000 more than their university counterparts by the age of 30.”

“Women offer a new way of thinking, they’re good problem solvers, and help bring diversity to a male-dominated industry,” agrees BCITO Chief Executive, Warwick Quinn.

“My hope is that this and the final research data based research leaves a legacy that will assist all parties in a post RoVE environment to continue to increase the participation and success of women in trades,” adds Mark Williams, Manager, Insight and Innovation, Education and Stakeholder Engagement, BCITO.

For the full report, see https://ako.ac.nz/knowledge-centre/what-are-the-characteristics-of-an-effective-learning-journey-for-women-entering-trades/

Hear Erica Cumming from BCITO discuss this research with Susie Ferguson on RNZ National, on October 16 https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018717934/trades-suffering-due-to-a-lack-of-women

See a successful example of females in this environment – click through to view NAWIC Awards recipient and BCITO apprentice carpenter Paris Ternent-Jones talking about “Got a Trade? Got it Made!” on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7prlDttMWc