Event: Girls in Infrastructure

Date: 17.08.2022

Girls in Infrastructure is an event that brings together many providers to give a clear picture of career paths available to females who are interested in the industry

Girls in Infrastructure is an annual event focussed on female students

The third Girls in Infrastructure event was held at Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei recently, targeted at encouraging young women into the construction and infrastructure industries.
The annual event focuses on female students who are selected for the 100 spots available on the day.

From left: Lauren Peterson-Hodge of Humes, Arden Hermans of Fulton Hogan, Minister for women Hon Jan Tinetti, Natalya Pussell, and Luana Misa of Winstone Aggregates

"We work with high schools to ensure the students selected have a strong interest to enter the industry," says organiser Arden Hermans, civil engineer and department Manager at Fulton Hogan.

"While students are our main area of concentration, we also welcome those who have left school or are considering a career change."

With the number of females increasing in the industry, their representation is still far below what Arden says it really should be, which potentially leaves a large untapped pool of talent. The event day consists of four activities: workplace visit, site visit, machinery area, and information stands.

Workplace visit

This year, the workplace visit was to Donovan Group Steel Manufacturing Plant, where students we able to see the production process from the initial design process through to manufacturing.

"Business visits are important, as they demonstrate the process behind how different jobs combine to form the finished product or outcome," says Arden.

Site visit

A visit to a bridge under construction allowed students to see different skills at work. They also heard presentations from two young civil engineers from WSP. "The engineers gave insightful talks about the different pathways they took to obtain their qualifications. One went to university and the other through a local polytech," says Arden.

Machinery area

Natalya explaining the job

In this popular area, students were able to talk with female machine operators and obtain first-hand information about their daily work life, which included Natalya Pussell from Winstone Aggregates, but more on her later.

"We always have Mel Sworn from Atlas Cranes attend. She was just about to head away on maternity leave, so it was great that students we able to see that you can have a cool industry job and still raise a family," says Arden.

Information stands

Hon Jan Tinetti (left) with Natalya Pussell

Here students were able to engage with different infrastructure and education providers, such as MITO, Golden Bay Cement, and Northpower.

"There were interactive activities, and the students listened to speeches by the minister for women Hon Jan Tinetti and Whangarei mayor Sheryl Mai, who spoke about the important role the infrastructure industry plays in the economy and local communities," says Arden.

Machine operator profile

One worker who was able to offer a close industry insight at Girls in Infrastructure was 20-year-old Natalya Pussell—a plant operator at Winstone Aggregates Otaika Quarry. She currently operates one of three new 40-tonne Moxy ADTs the business recently purchased. "Natalya is a perfect example of what we’re trying to promote.

The students loved her and could really relate," says Arden. Natalya will shortly begin her National Certificate in Mining and Quarrying L2, through MITO, who supports on-the-job learning for people working in automotive, commercial road transport, extractives, gas, and logistics industries. It will be her first step to what’s shaping up to be a long-term career path.

DOW: How did you get started at Winstone Aggregates and what has your progression been?

Natalya: My aunt works as the site administrator at the quarry and recommended that I look at a career as a quarry operator. I was worried at first because I had no prior machine experience. Since the beginning, my manager and co-workers have provided me with excellent training and assistance. I began with operating the plant, then moved on to operate articulated dump trucks, and am looking forward to operating the loaders in the future.

DOW: Why do you work here?

Natalya: I didn’t want to work in the traditional female roles, which meant working in retail or in front of a computer, so I decided to become a quarry machine operator. I’m currently operating a 40-tonne dump truck, running the plant control room, and will soon be driving loaders. Working for Winstone Aggregates has allowed me to develop both professionally and personally because of the unique opportunities working in a quarry provides.

DOW: What do you enjoy about working there?

Natalya: Every day is different. I enjoy being outside and performing physical labour, such as changing screens. I’ve got some cool work colleagues, and I meet other contractors, operators, and truck drivers who come to the construction site. It’s different work from what my friends and family do, and I absolutely love it.

Covering all bases

Hirepool Shane Reynolds showing the girls how to operate an excavator and allowing them to have a go—real highlight of the event for many girls

The aim of Girls in Infrastructure is to cover all bases of the construction and infrastructure industries available to students from the operating equipment through to academic careers.

"Our aim is to showcase everything, along with the different pathways available to reach an end goal," says Arden. "If we can tap into this large pool of female talent and show them how great it is to work in infrastructure, then it will help resolve employment shortages as well as build more resilient businesses."

For more information, contact Arden Hermans Arden.Hermans@fultonhogan.com or 027 5859 433.

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