Making history, brick by brick

The number of women entering construction continues to grow, with the proportion of female apprentices training through BCITO up from less than 1% in 2015 to over 6% in 2023. While the ratio remains low, women are excelling in their trades and winning some of the industry’s most prestigious competitions – including the coveted Brick & Block Laying Firth Apprentice of the Year Silver Trowel

For the past 35 years, the award has gone to a male apprentice – but, late last year, BCITO graduate Kiri Cooper made history by becoming the first female to take home the Silver Trowel.

Kiri, who started working for her uncle’s business, Woods Waetford Bricklayers, in 2020, didn’t see it as a future career at the time. However, after a year working as a labourer, she realised she was doing something she really enjoyed.

“I love seeing the final product,” she says. “There’s something very rewarding about building things that are going to last long after I’ve gone.”

Making it official

Confident in her newfound career direction, Kiri started her apprenticeship with BCITO in 2021 and continued working for Woods Waetford Bricklayers. Her on-the-job learning included trowel trade fundamentals (tools and equipment, legislation, planning, and building science and mathematics) and brick and block laying (consents and licensing, materials and mixing).

She says she had incredible support from her training advisor, Shaun Gibson, who pushed her to apply for the Brick and Block Laying Firth Apprentice of the Year competition and supported her throughout her apprenticeship.

“During my first year, we spoke about the award and he told me I had the potential to win it. He gave me confidence in myself to just go for it and he made the process of getting qualified much easier. I can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done to help me get to where I am now,” says Kiri.

Gibson’s support reflects BCITO’s commitment to boosting the number of female apprentices in the trades.

“The more people from all walks of life we have in our industry, the stronger it will be,” says Amanda Williams, Principal Advisor, Women at BCITO. “The success of women like Kiri shows how this traditionally male-dominated sector is already changing, becoming an environment where women are thriving and being recognised for their talent. It’s fantastic to see. Sincere congratulations to Kiri on her outstanding achievements, especially as she’s the youngest ever to receive this award.

“We look forward to supporting many more women to find their passion and enjoy a fulfilling career in construction.”

Historic award win

Kiri says winning the Silver Trowel award was the best possible validation of everything she’s achieved since being on the tools.

“At first, I was speechless and overwhelmed. Once it sunk in, I just felt so proud of myself for all the time and effort I had put into my training. Everything I had worked hard for had finally paid off,” says Kiri. “Being the youngest, and the first woman to receive this award, exemplified to me that as women, we are equally as good if not sometimes better than men. We deserve to be here.”

Reflecting on the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, Kiri acknowledged that while most people she met on site were incredibly welcoming, she found herself trying to prove to others that she belonged.

“I thought that I had to push myself and keep up with the pace of my male co-workers. However, with time I realised that my strengths weren’t in how fast I worked, but in the calibre and quality of work I produced,” she explains.

Laying a foundation for the future

Cooper graduated with a New Zealand Certificate in Trowel Trades Brick and Block Laying Level 4, and of course the Silver Trowel honour. She is looking forward to a fulfilling career where no two days are the same, and hopes to inspire other young women to give trades – especially brick and blocklaying – a go!