An interview with Sarah Brunton, ERGT Australia

THE POWER OF SUPPORT GROUPS IN ENABLING TRADESWOMEN TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL

An interview with Sarah Brunton

Safety Trainer/Assessor, ERGT Australia Founding Member, SALT and Sparkettes & 2016 NAWIC Award to a Tradesperson Winner (NT)

National data reveals an increasing number of Australian women are putting up their hands to work in construction trades1. But despite this progress, women are still in the minority and can often feel disconnected from female peers and role models. Without these connections, women working in construction trades may not reach their full potential or they may leave the industry altogether. That’s where support, networking and mentoring groups, like SALT and the Sparkettes, come in. The Sparkettes is a not-for-profit group of women in the electrical industry who meet on a regular basis to discuss work-related topics and to support each other. The Sparkettes promote the industry via school talks, mentorship of young apprentices and by connecting women in the trade. Sarah Brunton is one of the founders of the initial group – the Darwin Sparkettes – which was established in 2013. The group now has over 400 members and Sarah continues to play an active part. The Darwin Sparkettes also won the 2016 Sitzer Award for Diversity (NT). Tell us about your career journey I have been an electrician for over 20 years. For most of my career I have worked in mining and in the oil and gas and construction industries. I currently work for ERGT as a Trainer/Assessor. ERGT specialise in Oil and Gas Safety Training for workers and emergency response teams. Throughout my career I have never had a female work role model. I had to leave the Northern Territory to get an apprenticeship as I wasn’t able to find one after I left school. There were just no women doing what I was doing. In my first fly-in fly-out (FIFO) job there was no other women living in the camp. Women who were employed onsite worked in the office and were accommodated in motels in the local town. I remember checking into the camp and the camp manager saying “I have no idea where to put you because you can’t share a bathroom with the men.” I waited to the side while he checked in everyone else. Not all the dongas had their own bathroom facilities. Eventually he put me into a ‘supervisor’ cabin which had its own ensuite. I didn’t meet another female licenced electrician onsite until 2008. Tell us how to came to establish SALT and Sparkettes During my career there have been a lot of challenges because of gender. Due to these challenges, and not having a work sister to look up to or talk to for the best part of my career, I felt it was important to be that work sister for other female workers. I met Fi Shewring, SALT President, in 2009 while I was doing some work for the Electrical Trades Union in Sydney. We both had ideas about starting a support group for tradeswomen. Long story short, SALT was founded by a group of seven women in Wollongong in 2009. You only have to follow the SALT social media accounts to see the goals being kicked by the crew there. I am very proud to have been one of the founding members. I am back home in the Northern Territory these days so do not have any active roles with SALT (apart from liking posts on Facebook).

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>

Sarah Brunton was recently appointed to the NT Electrical Workers and Contractors Licensing Board

Sarah Brunton, with other tradeswomen, visited Senator The Hon Malarndirri McCarthy in Canberra to update her on the progress of electrical tradeswomen career option. This then follows through to ensuring that women have representation in decisionmaking bodies related to our jobs such as unions. What do you see as the benefits pursuing a trade career in the construction industry? The construction industry is dynamic, fun and challenges your problem-solving abilities. It is also an amazing industry for camaraderie and team work and it provides immense job satisfaction when completing something.

Similarly, Sparkettes came about initially in the Northern Territory. It was founded by a group of six or seven electrical workers who were also wanting to connect, support and mentor each other. As a team we thought it was important to ‘normalise’ being a tradeswoman and for school students to see us as role models for their own careers. A number of Sparkettes are working in supervisory and technical roles now while maintaining a connection to the next generation of women coming through. Sparkettes now has crews in most states and territories who can connect and mentor other women in electrical trades. Why did you see a need to create Sparkettes? I personally had no career role models. I did not want any other tradeswomen to feel like they were alone too. Can you tell us some positive changes you’ve seen thanks to SALT, Sparkettes and NAWIC? Hands down the most positive change I have seen is the power of women sticking together to have their voices heard. It might be to achieve appropriate amenities onsite or for the stores to stock size 7 gloves and women’s PPE. It might also be visiting schools and career expos to talk about being a tradeswoman as a viable Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen (SALT) provides a support network for tradeswomen, apprentices and women who wish to enter the trades. To find out more visit saltaustralia.org.au The Darwin Sparkettes is a group female sparkies in and around Darwin who want to encourage more people to consider getting a trade. To learn more visit facebook.com/DarwinSparkettes

How important it is for more women to be encouraged to pursue a trade career? Currently women make up less than 2% of licenced electrical workers in Australia. I believe it is important to get as many women to pursue trades as possible. I think that workplaces are starting to get used to the idea that women can do the work. We still have a long way to go to get an even balance in my trade. If women are not encouraged to participate in male-dominated industries then this will never change. Women can also earn good money as tradies, they have opportunities to travel and they will have a skill for life. What is one piece of advice would you give to other women who are considering a trade career? Stick with it, be above reproach and connect with other women who are working in male-dominated industries.