“BUMP” IN THE ROAD NO OBSTACLE FOR STAR JOINERY APPRENTICE

It wasn’t the typical start to a construction career. Emma was studying nursing when she fell behind, and the knock to her confidence was worsened by her dyslexia. She dropped out to become a caregiver for five years.

Drawn to hands-on work and a chance to do something different, when she saw a job advertised at Warkworth business Elite Window Solutions (now Nebulite North), she got in touch.

“I didn’t even know how to use a saw or read any of the build sheets. But I’ve got the most supportive bosses you could ever ask for,” she explains.

Just a few weeks in, general manager Angela Dalton told Emma she wanted to put her through a joinery apprenticeship. However, no sooner had the course materials arrived than Emma had a surprise – she was pregnant. She was worried about telling her new bosses, but their response was unexpected.

“Angela and owner David Wilmot both believe that family comes first,” says Emma.

Angela agrees: “Having been a solo mum re-entering the workforce myself, I can understand the stressors involved in trying to juggle it all. The workplace shouldn’t add to that stress. We have multiple staff with young families and to keep operations running smoothly we have back-up plans for when people are away. It takes the stress off the team and the mum or dad that is just trying to be a loyal staff member as well as a great parent.”

Emma has now been with Nebulite North for eight years, receiving the same support when her second child (nearly three) arrived. Angela urged her not only to do her Level 4 Joinery certificate, but also to complete qualifications in estimating, specialist machinery and now, a Level 5 supervisor qualification, all with BCITO.

“Angela has had more faith in me than I have at times but the further I can go, the better. Both for the sake of my kids and because I like feeling I can do everything at my job, from start to finish,” Emma says.

Angela says Emma’s go-getting personality shone through from the start. “It was quickly apparent that once the skills were taught, the rest would take care of itself. Emma has proven herself time and time again –that no challenge is too big or too small. Having [Training Advisor] Murray Atkinson and BCITO supporting us has made her advancement all the more achievable.”

Emma says Murray was the most amazing Training Advisor she could have had, answering any questions straight away. “Because I’m dyslexic, I work better printing out every assignment then writing things down rather than putting them online. Whenever I had an assignment due, he’d read what I’d done and let me know if I was on the right track.”

Emma has since won Apprentice of the Year for her trade and a nomination for a National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Award. She is currently a BCITO Apprentice Leader, participating in the national advisory group and providing a voice for learners in her industry.

“When I was at high school, they pushed everyone to go to uni. They didn’t really talk about the trades, and they never asked girls if they wanted to do the practical courses,” she says. “I’d love to go around schools and talk to people. It would give girls the confidence to say: “Maybe I can be a bricklayer, maybe I can be a builder”. If more schools promoted being a tradie, that would be a great thing.”

New Zealand needs more women to see their future in the trades. Find out more here about how BCITO can help you get ahead, no matter what your career path – including dedicated resources for learners with dyslexia.

BCITO is proud to support women in trades by offering free online Building Women workshops. These workshops aim to inspire, empower and drive lasting change across the industry, creating a more inclusive environment for women in trades.

These sessions will focus on a range of topics including pregnancy and parental leave, injury prevention and neurodiversity in the construction sector.

Register here