Gender Diversity is Business As Usual at HTS
Nick Burnett (left), Electrician and Megan McCarthy (right), Trade Assistant at HTS Constructions
POSTED: 27 May 2020
AUTHOR: Dan Hunt, Director
Diversity will always be an advantage in business. Aside from the rules of anti-discrimination law in Australia, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, sex, belief or disability, is expected to exist in an organisation's human resource 'DNA'. Australia continues to be progressive in this area of gender of perspectives; Hence companies who preach gender diversity on their capability statements are spruiking conformity, not innovation. Despite this, males continue to dominate historically male-dominated industries. Gender stereotyping in the trade and construction industry is still a major contributing factor, according to Tradeswomen Australia and perhaps the most significant barrier to entry as a chosen career for women in our country. Aside from parents and school, employers play a vital role. In an industry perceived as too physically demanding, not as aspirational or as viable a career path for women, keeping the doors open to women is critical for encouraging entry.
ONE OF THE MAJOR BARRIERS FOR WOMEN IN ENTERING THE TRADE AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES IS
GENDER STEREOTYPING
While embedded attitudes and reluctance still hold the industry back from full-blown evolution, here at HTS we quietly continue forth with the business at hand; That is, delivering quality services, with well-trained, committed and passionate people, regardless of gender. (Regardless of age, nationality, culture or belief, for that matter!) Our Trade Assistant, Megan McCarthy, is one such 'tradie' who has left the office environment behind for early morning starts and late finishes. For ten months, Megan has been working across all trades on HTS sites, from stripping out structures, preparation and cleaning to the logistics of arranging materials and stock. She certainly isn't shy at picking up a hand-tool and has embraced the tremendous change in lifestyle. Having worked directly with Megan, it is encouraging to see not only women interested in the trade industry but confirm how capable women are on-site. It goes a long way in dispelling any potential poor attitude among the male members of the team that it’s ‘man’s work’.
Under the supportive framework of HTS' training and development practices, Megan has not only proven herself among the team but grown personally. "I have become much more confident with hand-tools… being more confident with tools makes me work a lot faster than when I first started" says Megan. Her newfound confidence has meant she is also working safer, having been schooled in tie-down practices to ensure the materials she collects are secure in transit. Blake Thackrah, HTS Director and Megan’s Manager, has seen her take on the challenges that any significant career change brings: "Just like any beginner, Megan has had to start from the ground up, but I've seen her persistence, her patience and practice pay off. Her abilities have grown from there".
Like any remote FIFO job, employees have to adjust their lifestyle, but they also reap great rewards. For Megan, while the money is excellent, searching for "something different" has paid off in other ways and HTS is glad she took the leap to try her hand as a 'tradie'. We are especially motivated when new people embrace the industry of which we are so passionate. Asked if she still found the physical aspects of the job challenging, Megan says "…No. I'm so used to it. I wouldn't have it any other way".
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