Still a rarity on building sites, the number of women working in trades is growing exponentially, bringing a balance to the industry that is long overdue.
Emma Kaniuk created the Tradespeople online directory in late 2020, an ever-growing database of women and gender-diverse people working in the trades in Aotearoa. Emma herself has a background in branding and design, but saw a need for more diversity in the industry for the better of all.
“Tradespeople originally existed as a spreadsheet of women in the trades that I used to share with all my friends,” she explains, “which I created after struggling to find women-owned companies to support. I noticed that within my friend groups people were often asking if anyone knew any female lawyers, physiotherapists, plumbers, electricians, builders – and there were often no recommendations for any of the trades. I’d also occasionally get work done on my house and it was always all-male crews, so I got curious – were there any women, and where were they?”
The response was overwhelmingly positive. “Some of our tradies got their very first jobs through the website,” says Emma, “and many younger ones have reached out to say this has changed the way they’re thinking about their careers – that one day they could start their own company, too.”
She has had countless people reach out to say that through using Tradespeople they finally felt safe enough to bring tradies into their home – “often after a bad experience elsewhere” – or to express delight for the way they, and their homes, were treated. She asks everyone who uses Tradespeople – tradies and customers – to observe a code of care, with respect essential on both sides.
Bianca Rocca has an honours degree in fine arts, and together with her partner, Sam, founded Better House Painters to provide an ethical, non-toxic house painting alternative within the industry. Bianca started out “painting houses for extra cash for my dad, who runs a construction business that has employed all of my siblings in one way or another! My partner also has a background in house painting so we decided to go into business together to have more autonomy in our working lives”.
The duo is committed to environmental responsibility, “especially because the trades are full of toxic materials and waste, and we’re also very detail oriented and care about being transparent in our practices and pricing”.
Those choosing more environmental services shouldn’t compromise on high quality outcomes, with the pair “delivering high quality finishes that are long lasting, doubling as an investment in your health”.
Would Bianca recommend the tradie world to women? “Sure! It’s a diverse, social, and creative career path with a lot of opportunity – and it’s allowed me to work for myself, which I really value. Gendered assumptions do show up, but a good team and client base makes all the difference!”
Michelle Dry runs Dry Electrical with her husband, Dan. Originally working behind the scenes, she found herself on the tools when Dan shattered his elbow and was unable to work. “I decided to put my baby in daycare and take over,” she explains, “and then when he came back to work we were so busy that it made sense to keep me on.”
When asked what was it like do an apprenticeship with her husband she laughs: “There were lots of fights, but now we work well together and bring different strengths to the job.” Has she faced any discrimination being female in a male-dominated industry? “It’s more a case of men just walking past me on site without acknowledging me, then being directed back my way. More people are getting to know what I’m there for, but if I go to a brand-new site, it’s like starting over again.”
When asked what she would say to women wanting to go into the trades, she says get a good boss, first and foremost. “Someone who has your back and will help you get ahead. Women may not be as strong as most men on the job, but can still get it done in their own way – with the best possible results.”
tradespeople.co | betterhousepainters.co.nz | dryelectrical.co.nz
