From Lattes to Loaders
Hannah Trott traded her apron for a hard hat joining the team at Whitaker Civil Engineering last year after being made redundant from her role serving cafe visitors on Taranaki Maunga.
“Redundancy was a blessing in disguise, I now have a really cool job and I am loving it,” says Hannah.
That cool job is working in a team of four in Whitaker’s Waiwhakaiho Quarry where she is responsible for operating the quarry rock crusher, loader and digger preparing metal for civil projects in the region.
“I like it because it is a hands-on practical job – it’s physical and working in a small team means there is lots of variety and it changes every day.”
After trying her hand at jobs ranging from vet nursing through to hospitality roles Hannah has found she is really suited to the infrastructure industry.
“Strength is not needed but fitness helps. You’ve got to have a good eye and attention to detail. You really use your noggin – you’ve got to be alert and switched on, it can be mentally draining,” she says.
“People would be surprised at the range of careers you can have in the civil engineering field and consequently the diversity of people we employ. I don’t consider there’s any limitations to opportunities within the construction sector,” says Whitaker Civil Engineering Director Frances Boyce.
Hannah has recently finished her first qualification since completing NCEA at New Plymouth Girls’ High School – a Mining and Quarrying Surface Extraction level 2 certificate.
“I wasn’t much of a school person and never knew what I wanted to do, but I’ve had lots of support to do this course and to get further qualifications,” says Hannah.
“There is a massive skills and talent shortage in civil construction, which is only getting worse. Investing in people is critical to maintain and improve our local infrastructure,” says Boyce.
Hannah can see opportunities for advancement that she never had in other industries.
“I’ve got aims, I can see that I can work my way up the ladder – I am very lucky and happy here,” she adds.
Whitaker Civil Engineering is part of Taranaki’s Infrastructure Talent Pipeline - a group of 12 local organisations actively supporting youth into the infrastructure industry - an industry with a prosperous future and a strong job growth forecast.
