The benefits of being a tradeswoman All of the tradeswomen commented on the of achievement that working in the trades brings, including: pay, knowledge and variety the wow factor of the work, are the best things the – job (Louise) variety, people we work with/working conditions, pay and talent recognition are the best things about the job (Julie and Jill) keeping fit, seeing the finished product, people/social aspect and accommodating my needs when I was pregnant, are the things she appreciates most (Chanel) the rewarding job, sense of achievement, work environment/team, are the best things about the job (Katie) having a trade behind you, good experience, range of work, are the top things about her job (Aurora). At Baytex, the women are successful at the jobs they do: extra hard and we get respect for that none of the males have won Apprentice “Trying – of the Year and all three women have.” Katie are guys there if we need them, but we can pretty much handle anything.” Katie “There The opportunities for challenge and to utilise their skills are obvious: I’ve finished my apprenticeship I can keep learning and it gives me “Once opportunities to go overseas.” Aurora work environment, rewarding, enjoy the organisational and problem solving “People, aspects of the job.” Katie time we get a new machine I want to learn to use it.” Louise up a challenge and they’ll help us achieve it.” Louise “Set What works to attract and retain women in trades? Wendy says that challenge and training are central to keeping women engaged. The specific things that Wendy does are: offer promotions new and different roles – training as much as they’ll take, for example literacy and computer skills and – supervisory training apprenticeships (many of the women started as sewers and moved into canvas fabrication, and were then offered apprenticeships) encourage awards three women have been put forward and all have taken tier 1 or – tier 2 Apprentice of the Year
The benefits of being a tradeswoman All of the tradeswomen commented on the of achievement that working in the trades brings, including: pay, knowledge and variety – the wow factor of the work, are the best things the job (Louise) variety, people we work with/working conditions, pay and talent recognition are the best things about the job (Julie and Jill) keeping fit, seeing the finished product, people/social aspect and accommodating my needs when I was pregnant, are the things she appreciates most (Chanel) the rewarding job, sense of achievement, work environment/team, are the best things about the job (Katie) having a trade behind you, good experience, range of work, are the top things about her job (Aurora). At Baytex, the women are successful at the jobs they do: “Trying extra hard and we get respect for that – none of the males have won Apprentice of the Year and all three women have.” Katie “There are guys there if we need them, but we can pretty much handle anything.” Katie The opportunities for challenge and to utilise their skills are obvious: “Once I’ve finished my apprenticeship I can keep learning and it gives me opportunities to go overseas.” Aurora “People, work environment, rewarding, enjoy the organisational and problem solving aspects of the job.” Katie time we get a new machine I want to learn to use it.” Louise “Set up a challenge and they’ll help us achieve it.” Louise What works to attract and retain women in trades? Wendy says that challenge and training are central to keeping women engaged. The specific things that Wendy does are: offer promotions – new and different roles training – as much as they’ll take, for example literacy and computer skills and supervisory training apprenticeships (many of the women started as sewers and moved into canvas fabrication, and were then offered apprenticeships) encourage awards – three women have been put forward and all have taken tier 1 or tier 2 Apprentice of the Year
Women%20in%20trades%20interviews%202011.docx