Imagine what a skilled trade (construction) person looks like, you will probably picture a guy with beards wearing a hard hat, rugged work boot, and dirty jeans.

But what about the WOMEN?

Regardless of how progressive our ideas about gender are, most of us would fail to observe that there are few female Plumber, female construction worker, or a female diesel mechanic. Not because we would doubt their skills, but simply because they are RARE. Less than 10% of applicants for Trade apprentices are women, less than 4% of Plumbing and Electrical trade trainees are women and less than 2% of building trade workers are women.

There is a need to do more and a void to be filled so as to encourage young women at schools and colleges to infiltrate the building industry as there are so many roles for them.

Women should not be nervous because they do not think they have the knowledge or they are the only women on site, everything gets better through experience. They just need to be keen and eager and show aptitude that they will find their place in the industry.

Meet South African 1ST Female Ship Builder: Candra Shanice Pedro

Candra Shanice Pedro expressed that she came to enter the field of ship building after seeing an apprenticeship advert and going for an interview.

Cape town – South Africa’s first qualified female builder Candra Shanice Pedro hails from Bonteheuwel on the Cape flats.

She began her apprenticeship in 2013 and after six years she recently qualified as a ship builder.

“Since high school I have always been in a technical and engineering field” Pedro said.

“Once they informed me what it was all about, I kind of fell in love with it”.

Be like Candra Shanice Pedro.


SOURCE: https://academy.bhubng.com/2019/10/18/empowering-more-women-in-construction/