4 minute read
An interview with Ashleigh Hiemstra, Merge Building
BUILDING A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY THAT IS MINE
An interview with Ashleigh Hiemstra
Carpenter, Registered Builder and Director, Merge Building & NAWIC Chapter Education Committee Member (WA)
Whilst the under-representation of females working in construction trades is well documented, data suggests the tide is finally turning1. Women have a growing presence on construction sites and are increasingly being drawn to trades, such as carpentry and electrical, that offer excellent employment and wage prospects. The construction industry has also seen significant growth in female-led and female-owned businesses over the past few years. Ashleigh Hiemstra is one of the passionate, creative and inspirational women leading this charge. Ashleigh’s role as Director of her own construction company, Merge Building, varies depending on what jobs she has under construction. A typical day might involve site visits, meeting with trades onsite to ensure all works are carried out as required, client liaison, organising the next stage of a build and following up with trades and suppliers. At the end of each day, Ashleigh can be found in her office quoting upcoming projects. Tell us a bit about Merge Building Merge Building is a small, boutique, residential construction company in Perth. My company specialises in second storey additions, extensions, whole home renovations and custom new builds. Merge Building helps clients from the beginning. I help them finalise their ideas and turn them into working drawings ready for quoting and securing a building permit. What inspired you to pursue a career in construction? I grew up around the building industry. My mum was a builder in the early 1990s and my dad is a roof carpenter. During my gap year I started to think about my future. That’s when I decided I wanted to pursue a career as a builder. So, I applied to study a Diploma of Building and Construction (Builders Registration) at TAFE. Tell us about your career journey prior to creating Merge Building Once I completed my Diploma at TAFE, I decided to do an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery with my family’s business. I knew I needed seven years practical experience in the trade to be eligible to apply for my building practitioner licences. I completed my apprenticeship in early 2014 and continued working with the family business as a qualified roof carpenter. Although there were some tough moments completing my trade, I love the skills and knowledge I have learnt and I love putting my skills to use in everyday life. What made you decide to start your own business? It was always my goal to be a builder. Once I was eligible to apply for my registration, I took the steps to start my own company. After working with my family’s business for seven years, I wanted to create
1. CSQ 2021, Women in Construction - A Rising Trend 2021, CSQ, <https://www.csq.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Women-inConstruction-2021.pdf>
something that was mine and make my own mark in the industry. Merge Building originally ran alongside the family business. I was on the tools completing the carpentry for the smaller jobs I was working on for my clients. I then made the choice to take Merge Building further after the birth of my son. I liked that working for myself meant I had the flexibility in my schedule to have some home, work and mum life balance. Have you encountered any challenges as a female business owner? Like anyone starting a business there has been some challenges. For me, one of the biggest challenges has been creating boundaries between my work schedule and personal life to ensure I have quality time with my son. Being a full-time, working mum has its own additional challenges. Another challenge I have faced numerous times has been being questioned about my knowledge and skills by clients and other peers in the industry. What do you see as the benefits of pursuing a career in the construction industry? The careers are endless and there are many ways to get into the industry, from an apprenticeship to TAFE and university. The variety and daily challenges that you are faced with means every project is different. To see a project completed always gives me personally a great sense of achievement. How important it is for more women to be encouraged to enter the construction industry? It’s so important. I am so passionate about supporting and encouraging females to enter the industry and especially into trades. This is one of the reasons I joined the NAWIC Education Committee. There is a lot more support and acceptance of females in the industry but there is still a long way to go when you see that females make up only 11% in the industry and 1% in construction trades. What one piece of advice would you give to other women who thinking about a construction or trade career? Go for it! I found it very daunting at first, especially in the first year of my apprenticeship. But soon my confidence grew and I loved the work that I was doing. Tell us about your role on the NAWIC WA Education Committee This year I am proud to be a part of the committee. NAWIC is a great community and there is such a variety of women following different careers in the industry. Every single member has a great story to share. The committee have had plans to create a women’s shed and/or workshops for the past year. So, it’s a natural fit that I am taking the lead on this event and helping the committee make this a reality in 2021.
