Advocating for A Conducive Work Environment for Women in Construction In this episode of the She Who Dares Wins podcast, I speak with Katie Kelleher, a crane driver for the last 6 years. Katie never planned or thought she’d work in construction, but after working in sales and recruitment, she applied for an apprenticeship and fell into crane operating. Katie shares her experiences working in construction as a woman and how things have changed since she started and now. She also talks about the issues surrounding the apprentices’ wages and compensation. Listen in to learn the difference between getting a university degree and becoming an apprenticeship and why the latter is more beneficial. Key Takeaways: The benefits of learning on the job as an apprentice and obtaining the skills on-site. How women’s abilities are often questioned when working in a man’s world. The importance of talking about your experiences at work as a woman to empower those who come after you. Key Moments: [1:28] Katie describes her career journey and how she ended up as an apprentice to become a crane operator. [12:08] Why getting this job was a pivotal moment for Katie after years of being unhappy in other jobs. [13:46] The great wage opportunity becoming a crane operator was for Katie. [18:45] Why it is more valuable to go the apprenticeship way over a university degree. [21:49] Katie on her experience being a woman crane operator during her very first days. [32:02] She talks about the change that has happened in her workplace to accommodate women. Quotes: “From where I came from to where we are now, I think we’ve changed so much and people are more aware of women on the site.”- Katie [33:28] “If we’re not talking about it, things will not be fixed.”- Katie [34:48] “It’s very small things that have a large impact on people lives that might make them not want to come back tomorrow.”- Katie [35:15] Relevant Links: Check us out on Instagram @shewhodareswins Follow Katie @katie_cranes https://www.shewhodareswins.com/ For more great stories and Merch! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/shewhodareswins/message