Kim Taylor is using precision tools to trim a door at a property north of Sydney. It’s a routine task for the 43-year-old qualified carpenter, who began training eight years ago.
“I am very proud. I'm qualified now and running [building] sites,” she says.
“I started when was 36 and qualified when I was 41, that was two years ago. So, I started very late.
“And, I was very self-conscious at first and felt out of place, as if I didn't belong.”
Kim Taylor using precision tools. Source: SBS / Sandra Fulloon
“Initially, some of the guys didn't think that I should be on site, that I wasn't capable. But it's all about planning.
"If we are lifting frames or we need help, we organise it, or we use devices that can help us."
Taylor works full-time with her brother on construction sites across the city, and says she is now well accepted. But she knows many women still struggle.
Carpenter Kim Taylor adjusting a door. Source: SBS / Spencer Austad
“I don't know why they have to put women down. Why not just accept that we are there just to do a job.”
It’s an ongoing problem for the construction sector, according to peak industry body, the Master Builders Association.
“Certainly it is a unfortunate situation when you have a highly male-dominated industry, sexism, discrimination and harassment do exist,” says CEO Denita Wawn.
Master Builders Association CEO Denita Wawn. Source: Supplied / Master Builders Association
The Building Commission NSW report also revealed that 71 per cent of women employed in these businesses report discrimination, with one in two women experiencing sexual harassment.
“We need to empower women to call it out and feel as though when they do call it out, their job is not in jeopardy,” Wawn says.
An extra 500,000 skilled workers, including more women, will be needed in coming years to help tackle Australia’s housing crisis, according to Wawn.
“One million to 1.2 million homes need to be built over the next five years. If we do not resolve these shortages, then we're simply not going to house all of the population of Australia.
“However, it is really concerning that the cost of a new home is nearly 40 per cent higher than it was pre-Covid.
"We know this is predominantly around shortages of labour which is also leading to long delays.
“Prior to Covid, building a detached home took on average around nine months. At the height of the pandemic, with labour shortages and material shortages, that blew out to 15 months.
"However, it remains incredibly high at 12 to 13 months simply because we still have labour shortages.”
Wawn admits there are other barriers for women entering construction, too. A wide gender pay gap means, on average, women earn around 30 per cent less than men.
“Not only is there a dearth of women across the [construction] workforce, but also very few women are in high paying roles.
“When women make up only two per cent of the [on-site] workforce, then of course we are going to see that disparity.
“While it is not good enough, it also reflects the current state of the sector and it is something that we are striving very, very hard to change.”
Ozge Fettahlioglu at her home. Source: SBS / Spencer Austad
The designer also pro-actively hires female tradies.
“Having female carpenters brings diversity in the workplace, and that's important for me,” Fettahlioglu says.
“For this house, I especially wanted to work with female builders and looked really hard for them.
“I love warrior women, who see a challenge and jump on to fight it."
As a female founder who has faced discrimination Fettahlioglu would like to see more women breaking down barriers in trades. And she says incentives are needed to attract more female apprentices into construction.
“Not many female students see this as a career opportunity, even though they want to do something hands-on.
“So it starts with education, and then we need to work on leadership, workplace training and changing the culture and some policies in place."
Carpenter Kim Taylor with entrepreneur Ozge Fettahlioglu. Source: SBS / Sandra Fulloon
“I found my passion in carpentry and so many women and young girls out there, it could be their passion too.
“The skills that you learn, really, are life skills.
"I can help out my family and friends. And I hope to get my own house soon and renovate that.
“That's my dream.”
