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Monica-Lee carving out her dream career

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Nineteen-year-old Newcastle carpentry apprentice Monica-Lee Morris is challenging stereotypes and building a lifelong career with help from the team at VERTO.

Monica-Lee knew she wanted to work in the construction industry from a young age.

And, she committed to her goal early, starting a school-based traineeship in Shed Building in Year 10.

When she finished her HSC in 2020, she ultimately decided to pursue a career in carpentry and began looking for an apprenticeship.

With women accounting for only 11% of the construction industry and just 1% of building trades, Monica-Lee said it wasn’t always an easy road.

“All my family and friends were very supportive,” she explained.

“However, I did get overlooked for some apprenticeships.

“One company even said I had all the right qualities and skills but admitted they didn’t believe I would be strong enough to do the job. 

“Even when I got work placement opportunities, I found I was underestimated on the site or not asked to parts of the job that involved heavy lifting because it was assumed I couldn’t do it.”

The VERTO CareerGate team, a dedicated resource to connect apprentices and prospective employers, found the perfect opportunity for Monica-Lee at Newcastle building company, Indie Living.

“They found me the opportunity, and I just had to send my resume, and they put me forward – it was so easy,” she said. 

Indie Living owner Ben Barter recognised Monica-Lee would be a good fit for his business from the outset.

“She had started her studies at school, so I knew she was interested in working in the field,” he stated.

“She also had a background in team sports, so I was confident she’d be a team player – something that is important in this industry.”

While Mr Barter said he had no hesitation taking on a female apprentice, he was aware that there could be a stigma in traditionally male-dominated industries.

“Monica-Lee is my first female apprentice,” he added.

“But, that’s only because we haven’t had women apply before.

“And, it’s not about male or female.

“It’s about whether someone has the interest, skills and work ethic to complete their apprenticeship.

“Monica-Lee has these qualities 100% – I can’t speak highly enough of her.

“She’s an incredibly hard worker, willing to learn and asks all the right questions, everything you want from an apprentice.”

For Monica-Lee, working at Indie Living has allowed her to start building her dream career.

“I love my job,” she said.

“Every day is different, and I get huge satisfaction from working outdoors and seeing what I have built with my own hands.

“Everyone gives me lots of opportunities to learn and really supports me in building my skills.

“It’s a great team environment.”

Throughout her apprenticeship, Monica-Lee will continue to receive support from VERTO, through her vocational adviser Reiana Paraha.

Ms Paraha, who supports apprentices across the Newcastle region, said she would love to see more women choosing trade careers.

“Unfortunately, there is still some social stigma around females in trades and we don’t see as many as we would like applying,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.

“It can start quite early in school when career advice differs for male and female students.

“However, the reality is that women can and do thrive in these industries.”

VERTO boasts a long history of supporting female apprentices to find their dream careers, and last year announced a partnership with not-for-profit Tradeswomen Australia to deepen this commitment.

It also partnered with Year13 in July 2020 to run a report on females in trades and apprenticeships.

Of 1000 females aged 15-24 surveyed, 38% of female trade apprentices said they experienced gender discrimination in the workplace during or after their apprenticeship, while an alarming 75% of respondents said their schools did not position apprenticeships and trades positively for females.

“In the past decade, the number of female apprentices in the construction industry has more than doubled,” VERTO CEO Ron Maxwell said.

“But, women still represent only a tiny fraction of the industry.

“It is VERTO’s goal to help more of them forge their own paths.

“I was very pleased to see the federal government supporting this goal, too.

“The 2021/22 Budget includes funding for 5,000 women to complete pathways to non-traditional trade careers.

“We look forward to being part of this wonderful initiative.” 

Whether you are an employer looking to take on a new apprentice or an individual keen to kickstart your own career, contact VERTO on 1300 4 VERTO (1300 483 786) or [email protected] or visit www.verto.org.au

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