An enthusiastic group of Canterbury students enjoyed a ‘hands on’ day at Fulton Hogan in Christchurch and it has inspired a few young women into a career in the infrastructure Industry.
Thirty-four students took the opportunity to explore wide aspects of Fulton Hogan’s operations; from surfacing to safety management to signs and graphics.
The open day was part of Girls with Hi-Vis month, an annual initiative by Connexis to encourage more women to join the Infrastructure Industry.
The afternoon session was particularly popular where students were fitted out with hi-vis gear for a trip to the Canterbury, Miners Rd Training Ground where they learnt about operating excavators, dump trucks, graders, landscaping equipment and other machines.
Training Manager Andrea Wilson, who organised the open day, says the company; “Wanted to open their eyes to the possibilities and help them understand that their career pathway will be supported with training, that they can earn while they learn with Fulton Hogan and the opportunities for advancement are not limited.
“And there is now a NZ Cadetship Programme designed specifically for bringing in the next generation of Fulton Hogan employees, where they will be supported by mentors and are rotated every three months over the two year programme to various departments to learn all about each area before settling on their permanent role with the company.”
Connexis chief executive Peter Benfell says GWHV is a unique opportunity for women to find out about job options they had never previously considered or didn’t realise were available.
“Girls with Hi-Vis offers women of all ages and backgrounds, and from all over the country, a hands-on taste of a work day with our major infrastructure companies. They can also hear from other women already working the industry, and maybe see where they might have a future.”
Females only account for about four percent of employees in the infrastructure industries in general.
