Meet Hayley Smith - Taranaki 19 March 2024 Panellist
• What trade are you in, and how long you have been working in the industry?
My Trade is Roofing. I have been in the construction industry for 6 years. During this time my Husband and I started our Roofing Company B.A.R.S Roofing.
• What was your previous career, and how did you get into the trades?
My previous career was in finance. My goal was to be what everyone classified as “successful” I had the high paying job, big house expensive car nice things, but I was miserable. After having kids my view on what’s important really shifted, and I found myself drawn to the construction industry. There are so many inspiring and resourceful people in the construction industry! I got my foot in the door as the finance manager of a local building company. Once I figured out the ins and outs of business, I was able to start our own company.
• How did you get into the Trades?
I started out managing our company. You know, as the office lady. Then I started going on sites to hold things, as an extra set of hands. Next thing you know, I’ve got my own tool belt and tools, and I’m on site any chance I could get! I loved it. I wanted to do my apprenticeship to prove that I know my shit. I’m not just the office lady. As part of owning a business, it made sense to work to become qualified.
“I started out managing our company. You know, as the office lady. Then I started going on sites to hold things, as an extra set of hands. Next thing you know I’ve got my own tool belt and tools and I’m on site any chance I could get! I loved it. ”
• Who are you completing your training with?
Vertical horizonz. I’m in my third year as a Roofing apprentice.
• Who inspired you to choose this career?
My husband. Eww cute aye. We didn’t come from money so we wanted to break the cycle and start something amazing to support the success of our children.
• How have you progressed in your career?
Our company would do contract work for one of the main roofing companies, Roofing Taranaki. I built such an incredible relationship with them that they wanted to hire me as their HSE and Marketing Assistant. I’m incredibly lucky to be able to balance this role alongside being on the tools, running our own company and having a family.
• What does a typical day look like for you?
First stop is coffee! Then if I’m in the office I head in and clear my emails and check that all health and safety paperwork is up to date for all of our current jobs. One day I could be organizing traffic management and the next I’m showing up on site to ruin your day with a site audit, haha. If I’m on the tools I’m often heading to our suppliers to pick up gear etc then heading to site to give the team a hand on the roof. We are mostly doing TPO at the moment which is a roofing membrane that you’ll see used in internal gutters or flat roofs.
• What challenges did you have to overcome to get to where you are?
My strength. There’s no way I was going to stand back and let someone else carry my sheet or throw my ladder on top of my truck. No way, I’m playing with the big boys and I wasn’t about to let the team down. There are times of course when I can’t muscle things but in those times I can drop back and do other things that require higher attention to detail. Your team will always find the best way to utilize each other’s strengths.
Also, old dinosaurs on site that think girls don’t know anything. The funniest thing is them ignoring me and asking one of our crew a question. Only for them to just point to me and say go ask her she’s the boss.
• What do you love most about your trade?
I love the relationships and banter. Its nothing like the catty vibe you get in an office full of women! It’s like a fun family vibe. Someone’s always got a stupid funny story to tell. You’re constantly paying one another out which is fun. You can be honest and tell someone they are being a dickhead one day and then be having a heart to heart the next. You can be unapologetically you.