2 weeks Ago By Mangawhai Focus
Former Kaipara local and qualified builder Tamsyn Siggery is often outnumbered on site by her male counterparts, but says gender is no longer a major issue and she is just one of the team.Builder Tamsyn Siggery has witnessed a definite shift in the construction industry’s gender balance over the last decade.From being the only woman finishing a building course 11 years ago, the former Maungaturoto local now works in a company with two other women builders and other various tradies.
“Although it doesn’t sound like a lot, women builders on sites are becoming more common,” the 33-year-old says. “There are definitely a lot more now than when I started out in the workplace.“I notice more women in different trades as well, there are more female sparkies and plumbers coming onto sites, which is really cool.
”As a sole trader, Siggery contracts to Lindesay Construction, an Auckland-based company assigned to the Tara Iti development, and commutes daily from her Hibiscus Coast home to the job site.When first starting in the workforce, she says she did not have particular designs on becoming a builder, she just knew work had to be “something I could get my hands onto”.After enrolling into a year-long Introduction to Building course at Unitech, where students were taught to build a house from start to finish, she “just never looked back”.
In New Zealand’s construction industry, women make up roughly 15% (roughly 24,000) of the workforce, but only about 3% are actively working on the tools.“It was quite handy to do before entering an apprenticeship, to be able to go out into the workplace and know a lot more than just starting out without that knowledge,” Siggery says. “I really like to build things.
When I look at a building, I like knowing how it’s put together. I also like knowing that I’ve built that, I have a pride in my work as well, it’s quite a big thing for me.” She says that being outnumbered gender-wise on site has not been a big problem, although she has experienced subtle sexism, the “odd sly remark”, usually from the older generation.
“Generally, the men on site have been supportive, welcoming and helpful, and have just made me part of the team,” she says. “It is something that you have to be aware of, that it [sexist comments] potentially could happen, but if I hear something, I just call it out as do others, and then the person usually shuts down.”The differences in female versus male strength is also not an issue due to Health and Safety guiding all builders about heavy lifting regulations.
“Sometimes the guys show off a little or like to lift things up on their own, but I always ask for help and that’s fine,” she says. “The only issue is getting older. Working in construction takes a toll on anyone’s body over time.
”Siggery encourages girls and young women who are keen on a trade in the construction industry to look beyond the gender traditions, differences and numbers in the sector. “It doesn’t matter if it’s typically a male industry, don’t let that be the thing that holds you back as it’s definitely changing,” she says. “If it’s your passion, then just go for it.
”For more information or support visit National Association of Women in Construction www.nawic.org.
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