CTC’s Women in Contruction program was featured on ABC Brisbane. CTC Program Manager April Ibbotson and participant Vanessa Collins were both interviewed by ABC’s Gemma Ferguson as part of a larger story celebrating Women in Trades.
Read a snippet of the article below.
Supporting women and girls to take up trade qualifications could help ease Australia’s skills shortage
By Gemma Ferguson
Women working in male-dominated industries are proving anything’s possible when given the chance, and it could be the answer to Australia’s ongoing skills shortage.
Single mother-of-two Vanessa Collins took the career change plunge in the wake of personal tragedy.
The Gladstone mum lost her partner to suicide seven years ago, picking up a second job to make ends meet.
But being a cleaner on a mine site meant Miss Collins needed a white card, which she couldn’t afford.
Vanessa Collins said the career change, and opportunity to study alongside women she now calls friends, changed her life. (Supplied)
“I was stuck … I hadn’t been going to work because I was sort of depressed, and I was like ‘where am I going to get this money from?’,” she recalled.
“I had been in bed for what felt like three months.”
The stars aligned when she heard about CTC’s Women in Construction program, which included a white card among other training.
Despite initial anxiety about her age, the 35-year-old was drawn to the 11-week course and now credits the experience for turning her life around.
“I really looked forward to going every day, because we all got along great and there wasn’t a lot of pressure … we didn’t feel like we’d get in trouble for asking stupid questions,” Miss Collins said.
April Ibbotson wearing one of the pink hard hats participants are given as part of the Women in Construction course. (Supplied)
CTC program manager April Ibbotson said there needed to be more programs like hers, supporting women specifically.
The Gladstone course and a similar program in Rockhampton were catered to women aged 25 and over, providing certifications, PPE, and soft skills aimed at building confidence.
Classes are only held during school hours so participants can work around their children.
Ms Ibbotson said it was an emotional experience for some, because mothers “so used to giving to their family” were now able to invest back in themselves.
You can read the full story here.
You can listen to the full audio here:
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