by Eliza Lane, Australian Industry Trade College

WORK HARD, DREAM BIG

— they’re the next generation

Ella with AITC CEO Mark Hands at the Gold Coast campus

by Eliza Lane

Head of Industry Education, Australian Industry Trade College

The construction industry still leans towards the Y chromosome, with women only making up 2% of the Australian trades workforce1. However, many organisations are challenging this norm and are committed to improving the achievement rate of young women within the industry. Traditional, male-dominated industries are becoming a thing of the past. The future is about opportunity and skillsets, not about gender or historical ‘norms’; and it’s the next generation who are unabated in their pursuit of equality. The next generation of young women at the Australian Industry Trade College (AITC) are fearless and empowered and they are rewarded for their hard work and initiative with successful outcomes in a diverse range of industries. The independent senior school’s purpose is to educate tomorrow’s leaders, where leadership is defined by values, character and a commitment to their chosen profession, not by gender. University is not the only pathway to success. Building the future of industry begins with celebrating, promoting and encouraging young people to consider a career in construction in high school. The AITC has been removing barriers, building awareness and elevating industry careers for the past 12 years. Two AITC young women who are not only dreaming but also creating their own futures in the construction industry are Alisha Di Ruggiero and Ella O’Shannessy.

ALISHA DI RUGGIERO - APPRENTICE ELECTRICIAN

Currently in Year 12, Alisha Di Ruggiero was the first young person, male or female, from the Toowoomba campus to be signed to an apprenticeship. Alisha joined the AITC in Year 10 and is now completing her senior schooling while in a school-based electrical apprenticeship with Switch It Electrical. “My electrical apprenticeship is everything I could have wanted in a job. I chose this career because it was a good fit for me and my personality. I didn’t want to end up in an office block, unhappy in my profession and stuck,” explains Alisha. Her supervisor from Switch It Electrical, Kris Lobwein agrees and sees Alisha as an investment in the future of his business: “Alisha is a great apprentice and a pleasure to work with. We are very happy that she is working for our company and she will be an incredible asset going forward.” Her work ethic is simple, “I work to the best of my ability at all times, always challenging myself to be better dayto-day in my home, school and work life. This works for me. My job as an apprentice electrician provides for future development and is very fulfilling.”

Alisha on campus at the AITC Toowoomba campus

ELLA O’SHANNESSY - APPRENTICE BRICKLAYER

From the Darling Downs to the Gold Coast, Ella O’Shannessy is another young woman making waves in the construction industry. Within weeks of starting at the AITC, Ella attended a Trade Taster at TAFE and explored career options she had never considered. Bricklaying appealed to Ella and she was quickly linked to her current employer, Lyle Banks, from Banksy Brick and Block, who has a reputation as a great tradesman and someone able to nurture the right apprentice to achieve their best. But it was Ella’s ability to quickly learn on the job that gave her a head start, going from work experience to apprentice in a few short weeks. Lyle’s feedback says it all: “Ella is amazing. I couldn’t fault her. Her attitude was the thing that most impressed me! I just have to show her once—most kids you have to tell constantly. Ella has been incredible.” Her enthusiasm convinced the employer that he wouldn’t find a better apprentice, and she was signed up in early December while in Year 10. Initially, Ella faced some push back on her decision to pursue bricklaying, fuelled by people’s misconceptions about traditional trades and gender stereotypes. “A lot of people came to me and said, ‘You can’t do that because you’re a girl.’ It was a big challenge. However, I’ve proved them wrong. I’ve overcome these hurdles and I’ve succeeded.”

LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE TRADESWOMEN

As Alisha and Ella continue their school-based apprenticeships in construction, it is poignant to note these young women have paved the way for other tradeswomen to follow in their footsteps, to one day work with industry giants. Now in her last year of high school, Alisha is mentoring others. “I have been able to guide other future tradeswomen into work experience and work placements due to my experience.” Ella has also become an inspirational mentor to her peers, recently speaking with Year 10 students at the AITC Gold Coast campus about her journey in construction thus far. “Being a female in the industry, it’s quite a big thing,” explains Ella. “To get where I am today it’s been a hard struggle but it’s worth it. I like to be in a position to tell people not to give up on what they’re going for.” As an educational institution, the Australian Industry Trade College is steadfast in building up young tradeswomen as future industry leaders. It is everyone’s role to ensure opportunities arise for the next generation of women in industry, with apprenticeships and traineeships, at interview or during toolbox talks.