Event Panel Feature- Hera Eruera
Women in Trades NZ would like to introduce you to Hera Eruera- 3rd year Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying apprentice with Auckland Plumbers Group, and one of our panellists for our 2021 Getting Women Into Trades Event.
If you are attending the event on August 19, and have any questions for Hera, make a note and bring them along- you will have the opportunity to ask questions of all our panellists at the end of the panel session.
WIT NZ sat down for a Q&A with Hera so our community can get to know a little more about who she is and what she does.
WIT: Tell us about yourself, what do you enjoy? What do you do for fun outside of work?
Hera: Kia Ora! My name is Hera. I enjoy eating Kaimoana! I especially love gathering it for myself and my whānau, heading off to the beach for a dive. Letting my babies run amuck in the puddles on my days off mahi is my ideal fun- you'll either see me at the beach or at the Village fisheries scoffing kaimoana! If I’m not diving or eating, one of my other hobbies is reading. I love getting hooked into a good book. I've recently discovered digital books on so many good book apps- It doesn't beat a good hardback copy now and then though.
WIT: What trade do you work in and what experience do you have within your trade?
Hera: I'm a 3rd Year apprentice in the Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying Industry, currently with Auckland Plumbers Group.
WIT: Did you make a change from a more traditional career? If so, why?
Hera: Not really, but I made a change to break a generational cycle, to be a good influence on my whānau and friends, and anyone else on a similar journey, to be inspired by. I never knew of or saw anyone that was similar to me that I could look up to when I was young. I'm hoping young girls one day will come to think of Trades as being a traditional careers.
WIT: What do you find most enjoyable/rewarding about working in your trade?
Hera: To be honest the thing I find more enjoyable and rewarding is all the variety of jobs I come across. Meeting new customers and their reactions to seeing a Plumberette Apprentice turn up onsite, and the genuine gratitude and excitement from our elderly female customers is a reward in itself.
WIT: What have you found most challenging and how did you overcome these challenges?
Hera: Emotionally, I found the doubt from others the most challenging. Always having to feel like I've got to prove myself. I'm learning to stop doubting myself, taking a step back and being proud of who I'm becoming and all that I have achieved so far. I’ve started to document all my work and it's amazing seeing my progress.
Physically, the most challenging aspects I’ve dealt with would be all of the awkward spaces I've got to crawl my way into. Some days I feel like I could be a yoga instructor, although I don't enjoy exercise. I'm learning to do basic stretches each morning and afternoon for at least 5-10mins to help with my agility.
WIT: What advice would you give someone starting out fresh in a new company as a new apprentice? Do you have any words of support/encouragement?
Hera: Always be yourself, let it be known your most current or previous experience in the workforce, whether you're just starting from scratch or done a pre-trade or you were a full time mum like I was, the main thing is that you're keen and willing to learn and be taught.
I made it clear during my first interview process for work experience at a plumbing company, that I had been a full time mama, part time cleaner/factory worker, but now I am very keen and passionate about starting my new career pathway. Be positive when approaching a new company, THEY NEED YOU!
You won't know until you give it a go, don't think of it as wasting your time- think of it as investing your time toward your goal instead. You may or may not like it, but at least you gave it a go and can learn from it, life is an experience, our career can be too, it's what we can learn from the good or bad that gives us the thrill!
WIT: Do you have any goals for the future? Is there anything else about yourself or your trade that you would like to share?
Hera: Since meeting a few female apprentices/tradies throughout the last few years, I think I'd love to own a company full of Tradie Ladies, that's my ultimate dream goal! Becoming the absolute best that I can, so that one day I can pass on what I am learning to someone else starting their journey.
WIT would like to say a huge thank you to Hera for taking the time to help us get to know a little about her trade journey, ahead of hearing from her in person at the upcoming event.
If you haven't got your FREE tickets yet- head to our event page HERE for all the info and tickets!
