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Connections & Support

Helping women connect with work in the trades
Kura excitedly points to Managing Director of Tairāwhiti Contractors, Kat Kaiwai
Helping women connect with work in the trades

Why Women

Four things you can expect when you hire a woman on your team

Based on feedback from the employers we spoke to, here are four things you can expect when you hire a female tradie:

You can’t teach attitude

“The trades are fast, exciting and challenging. If you have the people skills you can pick up the tools stuff.” – Grace, Project Manager.

Busting the strength myth

The old myth that women aren’t strong enough to do blokes’ jobs is still around, but it takes more than just brute strength to get a job done.

Workplace Culture

Wāhine in the Trades

Māori make up 11% in the trades and there are even fewer Māori women. With multiple genders, ethnicities, and classes to consider, it can be a bit scary for us to make moves into the industry without knowing that it is safe.

By Morgana Watson, Iwi Liaison and Māori Engagement Lead

Flexibility at Work

Life gives us a lot to juggle. Flexible work arrangements can help you manage it all.

Getting Flexible

There are lots of ways to look at flexible work solutions and they don’t necessarily mean working less. Flexibility is about helping people to manage their work and personal commitments while also meeting the needs of your business.

Building Belonging: The Series

Recruiting Diverse Talent

Recruiting for Diversity

“International research shows that diverse and inclusive workplaces are more likely to attract high quality applicants, retain staff, and boost productivity.” - Rainbow Tick

Brought to you by TradeCareers, Waihanga Ara Rau Workforce Development Council and BCITO Te Pūkenga

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How to retain great staff.

“These are people who are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. They have outside lives, they've got outside interests. When we look after the person as a whole, our employees as a whole, we're actually able to retain them because they want to come to work for us since we’re helping to look after them.” - Nadia Bindel, Field Officer for Mates in Construction, She/Her

Brought to you by TradeCareers, Waihanga Ara Rau Workforce Development Council and BCITO Te Pūkenga

Gender diversity 101

Gender diversity and respect in the trades.

“When an organisation encourages its employees to bring their whole selves to work, these employees are more efficient, more productive, and more loyal to the organisation” - Rainbow Tick

Brought to you by TradeCareers, Waihanga Ara Rau Workforce Development Council and BCITO Te Pūkenga

Employers making a difference

Meet Marc, Painter & Decorator

“Suck it up buttercup!”

8m

Meet Andrew, Master Joiner

“I’ve been hiring women for 22 years – best thing I have ever done.”

7m

Meet Stu, Chair Maori & Pasifika Trades Training Board

Stuart Lawrence, ko Uenuku te Iwi, is Director – Programme Kaitautoko at Whatukura Ltd, a boutique consultancy firm where he has led a number of workforce development, pastoral care and community projects focusing on Māori and Pasifika development.

11m

Parenting, Pregnancy, and Periods

Let’s talk about dunny dignity and why it matters

“Just treat us the same as everyone else. Everyone is so busy, we are here to just get the job done. But please get a toilet for women on site!” – Holly

Parental Leave

“Support women in pregnancy and parenthood and you will have one committed employee.”

Pregnancy and Parenting - Women

It can be exciting to discover that you’re pregnant. It might be a bit scary, too. Every woman’s experience is different. When the initial emotions subside, it’s time to think about practicalities.

Be informed

National Association of Women in Construction

NAWIC encourages women to pursue, establish, and sustain successful careers in the construction industry.

Women in Trades

A nonprofit organisation promoting the trades as a viable career option to women and employers. Run by a committed group of people in and around the trades and trades services industries.

Careers.govt.nz

Improving career outcomes. Te whakapai ake i ngā hua ō ngā kōwhiringa ā-mahi. How to find a new job or choose a new career.

Skills.org.nz case studies

An amazing magazine showcasing women who have chosen an extraordinary career path in the trades.

BCITO – Women in Trades Workplace Stories

An inspiring and helpful collection of videos about women in construction.

Ultimit: Women in Infrastructure

An initiative from Connexis encouraging, inspiring and supporting women into trade and technical roles in the infrastructure industry.

Competenz / Te Pūkenga

An industry training organisation that helps people develop their skills on-the-job. The official training partner for 37 New Zealand industries including Engineering, Furniture Making, Forestry, Food and Beverage and more.

ShesFreeToBe

Helping to create a heavy industry workplace where women thrive by achieving better health, safety and well being outcomes.

Gender Bias Decoder

Get support to improve your job ads or website text to be more inclusive to women. This handy tool reveals hidden gender-specific words and offers alternatives to make your text more neutral.

Parental leave and employment law

Everything you need to know to support your staff members and your business.

Connect with the community

Women in Trades

BCITO Building Women Facebook Group

Connexis Ultimit Women in Infrastructure Facebook Group

New Zealand Builders Facebook Group

NAWIC Facebook Group

NAWIC Members Facebook Group

Employment

Skills Quiz

Are you keen to transition into a Career in the Trades? Identify your transferable skills with this easy and fun quiz.

CV Builder

An interactive tool that will make sure your CV includes all the essential information employers are looking for.

Competenz’s Job Board

Connexis Infrastructure Job Site

The iJobsite is a platform where you can search for jobs within the Civil, Energy, Telco or Water industries. Jobs range from entry level and apprenticeships, through to skilled tradesperson and management level.