Women in Trade Network Empowers Ākonga

Alize Mackie is looking forward to getting stuck in on building sites and giving back to her iwi on the marae. 

The Rotorua 16-year-old has just finished the New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills at Toi Ohomai and says a pilot female support network, has helped set her up for success.

The Toi Ohomai Wāhine Māia initiative was set up to engage and empower female ākonga in the trades. The pilot programme was launched at the beginning of 2023 and saw a series of wānanga (workshops) giving female trade ākonga a chance to network and learn from others in the industry. 

Alize says it was daunting entering her course as a young woman, knowing that carpentry is a male-dominated industry, but attending Wāhine Māia has helped build her confidence and given her tools and knowledge for success.

“On my first day of my course, not only was I the first female to show up, I was the youngest. It was pretty daunting,” she says.

“I went along to Wāhine Māia and found it really helpful. I liked listening to other people’s experiences. Knowing there are other wāhine out there doing what I’m doing gave me the motivation to keep going.” 

She says she is now at ease in the workshop. 

“We’ve had a really good team. The guys don’t intimidate me, we all get on really well. We’re all here to learn.”

She’s now finished her level 3 course and says her whānau is already lining up jobs for her to do on the marae. 

“I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and giving back.” 

Throughout 2023 Wāhine Māia wānanga were held quarterly in Tauranga and Rotorua, with ākonga from across the rohe attending.    

At the final wānanga, wāhine came together to share kai which was provided by Kim Hitchcock from Mitre 10 Mega Rotorua. Kim spoke to the group about what it means being a wāhine in a once-male-dominated industry, where the building industry is headed, and how ākonga can put themselves out there to get a foot in the door. 

A representative from the careers and employability team also talked to wāhine about what support was available to them including help with CV writing and preparing for interviews. 

A highlight for attendees was the table of giveaways and spot prizes donated by Mitre 10, The Tool Shed, FXD Workwear, Milwaukee and Te Ara Poutama – Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT). 

Previous sessions have included Ngā Tāonga wānanga (What it means to be a woman in Trades), Poutama (Scaffolding your way into your future), Arotakenga (Surveying your potential), guests from various trades spoke at each session including representatives from the Automotive industry, Construction, ex-ākonga now engaged in the trades and National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).

Wāhine Māia is co-led by Māori Success Manager, Mel Katu, and Associate Dean, Sue Brotherton, who say they are pleased with the response to this year’s programme.  

“Wāhine Māia will continue in 2024 and the team is really excited about what’s to come," Sue says. 

“We’ve built a lot of traction this year and we look forward to building our numbers and bringing in more trade experts to share their stories and advice.”

Anyone interested in being involved in Wāhine Māia as a speaker or sponsor is welcome to email [email protected].