"Don’t be meek, be confident!"
When you're coordinating projects worth up to $1.8 million, no two days are ever the same. That is certainly the case for Tracey Howell, a Project Manager at Arrow International in Dunedin. She credits years of on-the-job experience as the foundation for her high-flying career.
Tracey started her career as an administrator for an insurance company, before joining one of Arrow Group's companies to work in accounts and administration. She then made a foray into real estate. "It was a great because I met lots of people and built strong relationships with them. But eventually the hours didn’t suit as I had young children to care for," says Tracey.
She moved to Arrow International as an Office Manager and then became a Contracts Administrator dealing with tendering, procurement, project costings and contracts, financial reporting and client liaison. From there, she was appointed to Assistant Project Manager. "This allowed me to learn a lot more about concept, design and construction which I found really valuable and exciting," she says.
Tracey then became a Project Manager herself, and has since managed jobs valued from $800, 000 to $1.8 million. "There is a lot of coordination involved and every day is different. I deal with on-site construction activities, the client, the design team, stakeholders and tradespeople. I also have to ensure there’s a safe working environment for the whole team. It's really important to be a clear communicator who shows attention to detail and has the ability to multi-task. I am good at those things – maybe it’s the girl factor."
Working in a predominantly male industry doesn't pose any problems for Tracey. "Initially, some men were harder to deal with than others, but it's about developing relationships and proving yourself. They're all very accepting now and I get great feedback on my work performance."
Her advice for women considering a trades or technical career? "Don't be meek, be confident! Women are as valuable as men and the world is changing. A lot of our clients have female managers, and it's much more socially acceptable now to see women working in hard hats and boots in what have traditionally been male roles."
Tracey also recommends getting a trade qualification early on. In order to gain a qualification which reflects her industry knowledge and experience, she is undertaking a Recognition of Prior Learning assessment through Otago Polytechnic’s Capable NZ. This world-leading process ensures the skills gained through years of work and life can count towards a range of formal qualifications.