Habitat Women’s work is not only transforming the lives of the women it supports but is also making a significant impact on the industry as a whole. By breaking down gender barriers and promoting diversity, Habitat Women is contributing to a more equitable and inclusive construction industry that benefits all involved. The ripple effect of this initiative has the potential to transform the face of the trade industry, paving the way for a more diverse and prosperous future.
We recently had a chance to sit down with our latest Cohort of Habitat Women graduates to find out how the program changed their lives.
Julie could hardly contain her excitement about the program or about graduating from the Habitat Women course. She spoke of how she didn’t realise she was a creative person and how taking part in the course and learning new creative skills had unleashed a creativity that she had been subconsciously suppressing for her whole life.
“I’ve discovered a creative, passionate love that I never knew I had. That’s what Habitat Women has given me, the opportunity to create. I’ve gone 40 something years without being creative”
Julie spoke of how Habitat Women was the perfect avenue for her to channel her extra creativity and energy. Before the program Julie was a nurse and caretaker, she found it emotionally taxing and felt she wasn’t able to dedicate enough time to herself and her family after coming home from a long day of work. She is excited to begin working in a trade and be able to leave work at work, finishing the day at an earlier time and having the energy left to spend quality time with her children. Julie also spoke of how the course has given her the confidence to do maintenance work in her own home, that she otherwise would have stressed about and called someone else for.
This feeling of confidence and self-empowerment was reflected across the whole group. After speaking with Leah, another graduate from Cohort two, it was clear that Habitat Women didn’t just give the women physical skills but also created a sense of community. Leah spoke of how her english skills have improved drastically with the support and encouragement of the other women, in chatting with the group they all mentioned their pride in Leah and her English improvement, really instilling that sense of community.
“It’s good to be reminded that we are capable of doing things and that we are enough. It’s just a good feeling to have that support.”
“I can now see where I am going to be in the next three to five years, because the program is not just a hands on thing, it’s also support, emotional support”
Habitat Women is playing an important role in increasing the representation of women in the Australian construction industry. By providing training, mentoring, and networking opportunities, the organisation is helping to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce, which will benefit the industry as a whole. Visit the Habitat Women website or watch this space to learn more about Habitat Women and all their amazing achievements!