Ventia supported the event, with women from our Telco, Energy Networks and Renewables, and Transport business units offering candid insights and sharing experiences from their careers to inspire the keen audience of Year 12 and Year 13 students.
Hollie Frater, Ventia Operations Manager Transport New Zealand, told her story of career progression and says initiatives like Girls in Infrastructure are a vital investment in Ventia’s future.
“Providing young women with the opportunity to engage with industry professionals they can identify with is crucial for breaking down barriers, showcasing the diverse career paths available in infrastructure and inspiring the future leaders of Ventia."
Our goal at Ventia is to create a supportive environment where young women can witness the career possibilities available to them. It’s all about opening doors and giving them the resources and encouragement they need to succeed.
To complement the professional perspectives shared by our speakers, we brought a truck and an elevated work platform, allowing students to gain firsthand experience with field equipment and get a feel for what a career in infrastructure might involve.
Hollie says it’s “amazing” to play a part in welcoming young talent into the industry.
“The students had a brilliant time interacting with our Ventia team on the ground plus their vehicles and the vibe was awesome. It was a super positive event all round and hugely rewarding on a personal level.”
Ventia’s support for the Girls in Infrastructure event is part of our commitment to promoting infrastructure careers for women. Ventia actively participates in various programs aimed at encouraging more women participation in the industry, aiming to boost diversity and inclusion.
These events offer an invaluable opportunity for attendees to map out potential career paths where they can hop onto heavy machinery, experience an operational construction site and be pointed in the right direction by education providers.
A similar successful event we supported last year was Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis in Christchurch. One of the attendees was Sofie McCormick, who caught the infrastructure bug and joined Ventia’s Energy Networks and Renewables team.
“Initiatives like Girls in Infrastructure and Girls with High-Vis are integral to our mission of fostering an inclusive workplace. We’re dedicated to providing continuous support and opportunities for young women to thrive in infrastructure careers,” Hollie says.
Girls in Infrastructure is an industry initiative launched in 2019 to ignite interest in careers in infrastructure, extinguish stereotypes and inspire women to shape the future of New Zealand’s infrastructure industry.
The Hamilton Girls in Infrastructure event was hosted by Infrastructure New Zealand in association with the Women’s Infrastructure Network, with support from Ventia and other major infrastructure companies operating in the Waikato.