Carolina has always had a desire to join the construction industry, but like many women, she found it difficult to break into the field. Thanks to the Habitat Women program, her dreams are finally becoming a reality.
The construction industry is one of the largest in Australia, employing about 1.26 Million people or 9.2% of the national workforce, yet it is one of the industries with the lowest percentage of female workers. Despite construction being an ever-growing industry in Australia and a high demand for workers, many women report avoiding the industry for fear of gender-based discrimination and limited opportunities for career progression offered to women, in fact 5.75% of women in the construction industry in Australia reported experiencing gender-based adversity within their careers.
Habitat Women is changing the landscape, giving women the skills and confidence to enter the industry and succeed.
Here’s how Carolina’s journey unfolded throughout the program.
From Event Management to Construction
Before joining the Habitat Women program, Carolina worked in event management and project management. Despite her professional background, she had always been interested in construction, a passion she pursued by studying construction on the side. However, breaking into the male-dominated construction industry was not easy.
Carolina recalls, “After many attempts to get a job in the construction industry, I found the Habitat Women program, and it came to save my life because now I can feel more confident.”
The program provided her with hands-on learning experiences in basic trade skills, allowing her to work alongside her studies and apply her theoretical knowledge in real-world projects. For Carolina, the combination of education and practical experience was key to developing confidence in her abilities.
Building Skills and Confidence
Carolina admits that she was nervous before joining the program. Although she was eager to dive into construction, she was unfamiliar with many of the technical skills required. However, the supportive environment at Habitat Women made her transition into the construction world much smoother than expected.
“I was a little bit nervous because it’s something I was not very familiar with,” she says. “But here, I could learn very quickly with a lot of people who have empathy. It was a very easy process.”
Through this program, Carolina gained hands-on experience in various aspects of construction, from carpentry to basic trade skills. It wasn’t just about learning techniques; it was about building her confidence and realizing that women have a place in the construction industry. Carolina now feels empowered to move forward with her career in construction.
Empowerment, Inclusion and Healing
When asked to describe the Habitat Women program in three words, Carolina chose: empowerment, inclusion, and healing. These words perfectly capture the spirit of the program, which aims to create an environment where women can feel strong, supported, and able to overcome the challenges of a traditionally male-dominated industry.
By offering both education and practical experience, Habitat Women provides women like Carolina with the tools they need to succeed, regardless of their background or prior experience. The program promotes inclusion and ensures that women are given the same opportunities as their male counterparts.
Looking Toward the Future
Now that Carolina has gained confidence and experience through the program, she is looking toward the future with excitement. Her goal after completing the Habitat Women program is to secure an apprenticeship in carpentry, furthering her education and training in the construction field.
“My plan is to get an apprenticeship in carpentry. That’s what we are working on now, and hopefully after the program, I’ll be able to make that happen.”
Why You Should Join Habitat Women
Carolina’s story is just one of many inspiring examples of how the Habitat Women program is helping women break into the construction industry and realize their potential. If you’re considering joining, you don’t need to have previous construction experience—just a desire to learn and grow.
If you would like to engage our Habitat Women team on upcoming repair and maintenance work, please visit: https://habitatwomen.org.au/repairs/
The Habitat Women is a program of Habitat for Humanity Australia. It is made possible through the generous support of the Office for Women, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet; Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, GHD Foundation and Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.