Pre-employment program boosting women’s careers in construction

Struggling to make ends meet as a widow and single mother in Gladstone, Vanessa Collins found a lifeline through CTC’s Women in Construction program.

Following her husband’s death, Vanessa was balancing multiple jobs, yet still struggling each week to support her two children.

Her financial strain increased when she was required to undertake White Card training to keep one of her roles, and pay for it out of her own pocket.

It was a cost she just could not meet and her situation became overwhelming, “Stressing about the money to pay for training, with nowhere to turn for help, and already struggling with my mental health I realised I had spent the last three weeks in bed with no motivation to improve my life. It was time for a change,” she said.

Everything shifted when Vanessa discovered CTC’s Women in Construction program. Despite her initial reservations about her age, she was drawn to the comprehensive training the program offered, including certifications like a white card, CPR training, and working at heights, “I thought this course wouldn’t be for people my age, they are always aimed at school leavers or for people under 25s,” she said.

Motivated by the inclusive nature of the program, Vanessa decided to enrol, “Joining the class I realised we were all mothers trying to upskill and get our foot in the door for bigger and better things. We just needed basic education that most men would have already learned at our age after usually being in the industry for many years.”

Women in Construction, a collaborative effort between CTC and the Occupational Skills Centre Australia, is designed for women aged 25 and older. It spans 11 weeks and is hosted in Rockhampton and Gladstone. The initiative not only provides essential work readiness training and employability skills but also opens doors to various industries including mining, construction, and trades, offering numerous opportunities for apprenticeships and steady employment.

The program, led by CTC trainers, was tailored to accommodate and support women from various backgrounds, focusing on practical skills and industry knowledge, “The fact the course was aimed purely at women, made me feel a lot more comfortable especially knowing we were all inexperienced and in the same boat,” she said. “The trainer ran the classes at a relaxed pace and slow enough that anyone who didn’t quite grasp the concept at first, could completely understand. As well as always making us laugh and not treating us like idiots for asking a lot of silly questions.”

Upon completing the program and earning all the necessary credentials, Vanessa quickly secured a position as a Confined Space Sentry at a local refinery, a role that came with increase pay and benefits. This job not only helped her manage immediate financial burdens but also marked a significant step forward in her career.

“Next thing I know I’m doing 12 hour shifts for days straight and I earned enough money to pay off bills I was stressing about for weeks. I would have never been able to do that if I wasn’t lucky enough to do the course and get these tickets for free,” she said.

“A huge part of never upskilling was the fear of paying hundreds of dollars for a course, licence or ticket and still not securing a job from it, especially if we can’t afford to pay for it in the first place.”

CTC Program Manager April Ibbotson said while the course provided practical skills, it also offered wraparound support tailored to participants. “This course is specifically designed for women looking to enhance their skills and secure better employment opportunities in fields traditionally dominated by men. It’s not just about training, it’s about empowering these women with the necessary knowledge, certifications, and confidence to break barriers and succeed in their chosen careers. We aim to provide a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages personal and professional growth.”

Vanessa highly recommended the program to other women, especially mums looking to upskill or do something different in their careers, “I am so thankful for finding CTC’s post online. I am sure so many other women can benefit from these courses. Not just because we are upskilling and getting back into the work force, but because we are having a new lease on life. The course got me out of bed, made me feel good about myself and got me out of that “rut” that many of us feel,” she said.

“I honestly don’t know where I would be right now if I didn’t stumble upon that single Facebook post. It honestly changed my life. The classes gave me something to look forward to, especially knowing I was not only was I upskilling and doing something to improve my life, I was enjoying it and making friends in the meantime,” she said.

CTC’s Women in Construction program is funded by Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

For more information on CTC’s Women in Construction program, contact April Ibbotson on 0409 125 269 or [email protected]