Meet the Sunshine Coast women proving they’ve got what it takes to work hard in the trade industry

From a carpentry apprentice to a project manager at one of the region’s biggest employers, meet the seven women making the most of their chosen trades, bucking gender trends.

A shortage of men entering the industry has opened the door for a balancing of the gender scales on job sites across the nation.

HRM Contracting and Consulting founder Sally Desch said a recent shortage of men entering the trades had given women an opportunity to consider it as a career.

“In what was traditionally a male-dominated career choice we have seen an increase in female tradies however the uptake of people entering into a trade has decreased over the years,” Ms Desch said.

“There is definitely a shortage of tradies at the moment so any females wanting to get a trade, I would highly recommend it as a great career opportunity with ongoing employment.”

Ms Desch said the trade industry has come a long way from what it once was and is now an inclusive place for all employees.

“Employers need to create an environment and culture where women are embraced into the industry to ensure they are attracting and retaining female tradies,” she said.

“They need to ensure they are an employer of choice when tradies and apprentices and in particular females are looking to start their career.”

Meet seven Sunshine Coast female tradies making the most of the opportunities in their industry:

Savannah Weeks, 20, apprentice carpenter at McNab Sunshine Coast

Savannah Weeks, 20, is an apprentice carpenter at McNab on the Sunshine Coast.

After discovering a passion for construction through renovating her parent’s home, Ms Weeks decided to pursue a career in the building industry.

She decided to study carpentry, and through her apprenticeship with McNab she’s finding her feet and loving every second of it.

“I enjoy the variety of jobs, I’m very hands on, it keeps me busy and I love that,” Ms Weeks said.

“Once I have completed my apprenticeship and become a qualified carpenter, I would like to progress into a leading role and also encourage more women to join the industry.”

Ms Weeks said she’s found “everyone looks out for you” when she’s on site and any concerns about entering the industry as a woman have quickly disappeared.

“Women shouldn’t be afraid to pursue a career in the industry, anyone can do it,” she said.

“It really is a rewarding job and I couldn’t be happier with my choice to commence my career as a chippy.”

Sharon Hunter – Labourer at Stockland Bokarina Townhomes

Sharon Hunter is a labourer at Stockland Bokarina Townhomes.

The 47-year-old construction labourer said her love for her job has inspired her to one day become a foreman.

Ms Hunter said she’s learnt a lot of different skills from working in her trade and has found construction an inviting place for women.

“I’m sure the team would welcome any woman on site, they are very respectful,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter who comes on site male or female, I love to encourage and I find the team and I do the same as we’re encouraging, supportive and approachable.”

Andrea Partridge, 24, Tewantin painter at J. Austin Painting and Decorating

As a recent TAFE graduate, Ms Partridge is making the most of her Certificate III in Painting and Decorating by working in her chosen field.

Ms Partridge said she chose to go into the painting industry because she wanted to keep active.

“I was a housekeeper before this and got bored with the same thing all the time, plus I wanted to do something outside,” she said.

Andrea Partridge is a painter by trade. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“People don’t know I’m a painter until I tell them, it’s actually really rewarding and I love telling people.

“I really love to do it, every job has their bad days and good days but it’s actually fun and you get to work on at your own pace.”

Ms Partridge said she hopes one day to be her own boss, and already she’s seeing a gap in the Noosa market.

“I know what's around and what’s missing, I like timber work, and I would like to do something with decking,” she said.

Courtney Lockwood, 31, Sippy Downs concreter and CML Flooring Designs owner

Courtney Lockwood, 31, Sippy Downs concreter and CML Flooring Designs owner.

After seeing a labourers job advertised in the paper seven years ago, Ms Lockwood has since opened her own spray concreting business.

“I’m not really an office kind of girl, so I figured I may as well be out in the sun all day,” she said.

“I've always been an outdoors kind of person and pretty hands on, so I rang up on the labourer and got into it.

“I then realised I could be probably be making this money myself, did the licence and opened my business in early 2021.”

Since then, Ms Lockwood has hired another woman to help her on with jobs, as business booms.

“I didn’t think it would go this well straight away but it’s been pretty busy from word of mouth and all the flyer dropping I did,” she said.

“I think I’m the only girl on the Sunshine Coast with my own polished and spray concreting business.

“But (women in the trade industry) is getting so common now, there’s chicks in all different trades.

“It’s not a male-dominated worksite which is good, everyone is doing the same job.”

Kaylee Salter, 24, Sunshine Coast City Council Sealed Roads Maintenance Civil Field Worker

Ms Salter said exciting opportunities in the civil construction industry was the reason she decided to apply for Sunshine Coast Council’s traineeship program.

She said after completing the program and landing a full-time job with council, her passion for the industry continues to grow.

“I enjoy the teamwork, endless opportunities to learn, peer support and encouragement, the challenges of each task and the variety of work,” Ms Salter said.

Kaylee Salter, 24, Sunshine Coast City Council Sealed Roads Maintenance Civil Field Worker

“I would encourage all women who are interested in any male-dominated industry to take every opportunity to learn as much as they can.

“Don’t doubt yourself or your abilities, stay confident and never give up.”

Ms Salter said she’s never felt out of place on the worksite because of her gender.

“My male teammates treat me as they would any other work colleague – respectfully and fairly – and I wouldn’t expect anything different,” she said.

“It’s important to spread awareness about real and important issues in the workplace, in the community and to address gender equality issues.”

Hannah Connors, 31, Sunshine Coast City Council Senior Project Engineer

Working as a woman in engineering has been a career highlight for Ms Connors, as she continues to prove that gender isn’t a factor in making sure the job is done well.

Ms Connors said her career as an engineer has been a rewarding experience and had led her to work on projects like the $225m CR2SM Bruce Highway Upgrade and Rio Tinto’s $170m Amrun Project in Cape York.

“I’ve always been interested in how things work and organising how things are done so construction is a great outlet for these interests in a high paced environment,” she said.

“Knowing you have contributed to the building or change of a projects. Problem solving and working with great teams to produce high quality outcomes.”

Ms Connors said she strongly recommend the construction industry as a great environment to work.

“Engineering is a challenging and rewarding career,” she said.

“We all need to remember to question our own perceptions as there are so many opportunities that are missed if you don’t push the boundaries.”

Hannah Connors and Lisa Devine are both enjoying their chosen trade careers at Sunshine Coast City Council.

Lisa Devine, Sunshine Coast City Council Civil Asset, Contract and Project Manager

Leading a team of more than 250 people and up to 500 contractors would seem like a difficult task for many but for Ms Devine her drive to deliver quality results is what makes her an important part of getting the job done.

Ms Devine said her role at council involves ensuring big infrastructure projects like roads and stormwater management is delivered.

“There’s never a dull day but I love it, my background is project management, contract law and human resources,” she said.

“I’m just a busy person, it’s high pressure and you’re busy all the time, some people don’t like it and I get that.”

Ms Devine said the trade industry isn’t just always about getting out into the sun for hours on end.

“Construction is an exciting field, and I encourage women to join,” she said.

“I think it’s all about having the confidence to give it a go.

“I don’t want people to think construction is just digging holes, there’s roles in admin, marketing and communications as well.

“It's not always physical, if you want to be out of the sun you can be.”