Meet Kimberly de Vries - Taranaki 19 March 2024 Panellist
• What trade are you in, and how long you have been working in the industry?
I have worked in Construction for 17 years, during this time I have had two children, now 5 and 7.
• What was your previous career, and how did you get into the trades?
I have worked in construction since leaving Canterbury University.
• How did you get into the Trades?
I studied Geography at Canterbury Uni, while studying a Coastal Studies paper, we visited a construction site among the dunes. The lecturer started asking us how we thought the dunes would be reinstated. I started to think about applying my degree in the construction sector.
I then wrote letters to a few construction companies communicating the type of role I was looking for. A company who got back to me created a role for me as an Environmental advisor, it was the same company whose construction site we visited at Uni. As part of my new role, I managed the reinstatement of those same dunes I visited 😊
• Who are you completing your training with?
I worked as an environmental manager for two years, I then got an opportunity to work as a site engineer on a tunnelling project in Auckland, the company offered to pay for me to study toward a NZ Diploma in Civil Engineering. I studied part time for 4 years.
• How have you progressed in your career?
I worked as a site engineer and over my career have processed up to Project Engineer, Project Manager and to where I currently am as the Contracting Division Manager in Taranaki for Fulton Hogan looking after a team of 55.
Although my career looks very linear I was provided opportunities to build on my capabilities along the way, I have also worked in specialist roles, including programming, communications, quality, traffic management. These have provided the opportunities enhance my knowledge in the construct industry, all of which benefit me in my current management roll.
• What does a typical day look like for you?
Each day looks very different, which is one of the things I love. My days involves the following, checking in with my engineers to help work through challenges on site, communicating with suppliers / subcontractors/ clients, tendering, HR related tasks for the team – career conversations, programming and learning.
“I have had to challenge my own mindset on the possibility to continue working in construction while having children. I assumed I would need to move to an office based role while having children [...], I didn’t see many other women doing it. Thanks to a supportive husband, putting up strong boundaries and having a supportive employer it has been possible.”
• What challenges did you have to overcome to get to where you are?
I have had to challenge my own mindset on the possibility to continue working in construction while having children. I assumed I would need to move to an office based role while having children, as when I entered construction, I didn’t see many other women doing it. Thanks to a supportive husband, putting up strong boundaries and having a supportive employer it has been possible.
• What do you love most about your trade?
I love the people, I have worked with amazingly skilled and talented people. As a women I have always felt supported and encouraged to challenge myself.