HIA Professional Tradeswoman Awarded to Emily Smith

Plantation Homes are honoured to announce that our Residential Construction Supervisor, Emily Smith, was awarded the 2017 Housing Industry Association (HIA) Professional Tradeswoman, as part of the 2017 HIA QLD Recognition of Women in Industry.  

In its third year, the HIA Women in Building and Construction awards provides the opportunity to recognize and acknowledge women who have overcome significant challenges or reached a great achievement which made a significant contribution as a result of their business success.

Emily began her career with Plantation Homes as a HIA Apprentice in 2010 and has been excelling in a construction supervisory role over the past three years, as the first female to have taken this role within Plantation Homes.

According to Emily, her passion and drive for this profession started when she was 15 years old, having been told that she was unable to be a carpenter or go down that line of work due to being a female.

“With my drive and motivation behind this, I was given a school based apprenticeship as a cabinet maker. After a year I decided to follow my dream, I changed to a trade based school and transferred to carpentry. I was given an apprenticeship in no time at all. During my 4 years I was fortunate enough to work on Plantation Homes sites and also expanded my knowledge in the field by moving to Melbourne and working on renovating period homes”, she said.

“Towards the end of my apprenticeship Plantation Homes nominated me for a scholarship in Cert 4 in Building and Construction through the HIA. I was lucky enough to have received the scholarship, completed the course and offered a cadetship with only one module left. I have been in this role now for 3 years.”

Acting HIA Executive Director Michael Roberts said “HIA was delighted to be able to recognize through the Awards program the significant contribution that women are making to the residential construction industry”.

“These awards are a celebration of the leadership roles women are undertaking in what is still a very male dominated industry” said Mr Roberts.

“The industry must do everything it can to encourage women into the industry at all levels to ensure that there is an in adequate supply of skills to meet the future demand for housing in the State.”

Five other women from Plantation Homes were also recognised for their outstanding contribution to the industry.