NEWS & INFO
Women In Trades Wednesday- Chelsea Roper
Chelsea Roper has been in trades for 2 years so far as a builder, and is currently in the second year of her carpentry apprenticeship with BCITO.
A typical day for Chelsea can vary widely- “I could be standing frames, digging holes and then off to another house to fit door hardware. No two days are the same.”
“I chose a career in the trades so that I could help my partner build our own home, we couldn't afford to otherwise.” Chelsea was previously a qualified graphic designer for 6 years, and felt it was time for a change.
On what she loves most about her trade, she says “I love taking nothing and creating something, and getting to see jobs from start to finish!”
Chelsea’s most proud achievements in her trade career to date include: “being a 1st year and putting in 24 mortise door locks, including 2 into cedar front doors.”
As for the future of her career, Chelsea has no set goals, apart from finishing her apprenticeship. (We think that’s a pretty massive goal in itself!)
Chelsea’s advice to people wanting to take on a trade, would be- “just do it! Dont let the stigma or opinions of others hold you back, stand out, be different and do what YOU enjoy in life.”
AAJ Apprentice of the Year 2018
Meet Shevonne Evans, the BCITO and Window Association of New Zealand ‘Architectural Aluminium Joinery Apprentice of the Year Award’.
NZMA, BCITO & Women in Trades celebrate women in construction
New Zealand Management Academies Ltd (NZMA) hosted their first Women in Construction Breakfast on 10 May with a group of high achieving female construction talent inspiring NZMA students. Women in Trades were there too.
Strong female presence at pre-trades
Forty-eight percent of New Zealand’s population are women, but they only make up 16% of the painting and decorating industry. Could investing in more female apprentices help the industry battle the current labour shortage? Tina Falconer, a painting and decorating tutor at Ara, certainly thinks so.
Where there’s a will there’s a way
Meet Plasterer Kirstin McGavin, she completed her apprenticeship in 2017 and has been working since then as a qualified plasterer with Tauranga Plasterers. Something that she never thought she would achieve.
Exciting new sign up for the Architectural Aluminium Joinery (AAJ) Sector
BCITO had the pleasure of signing Tamara Tuhiwai into a new apprenticeship within the AAJ sector. Tamara will complete her apprenticeship at Vistalite Windows and Doors in Taupō.
Women nailing careers in the trades
Female trade apprentices love their career choice, but research shows that few considered a career in building or construction while they were at school.
Find out more about what BCITO’s female apprentices think about their trades careers
Childhood dreams and career choices
Dragon Tamer? Magician? Space Station Boss? Our childhood dreams remain the same, so can revisiting them help our career choice? Sarah Jennings of Carlielle Kitchens took what made her eyes widen as a child and is threading a theme through her career.
My son can say Mum is a Builder
Sara Bonner used to be a baker and cake decorator, now she is undertaking a carpentry apprentice.
I’m running jobs and training people
Melissa Ryder, Interior Systems apprentice with Smartstop Limited, Tauranga, talks about how she got interested in becoming a wallboard plasterer.