DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH - PROGRIND AUSTRALIA/WORX+ PARTNERSHIPS INCREASING WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Amidst the general hustle and bustle of noisy construction sites, there is a quiet yet significant development occurring in the representation of women in the concrete grinding and polishing industry. Typically dominated by males, the introduction of advanced remote-control technology has opened up opportunity for an increased female contribution. Progrind Australia is forming effective partnerships nationwide that are fostering the participation of women to deliver mechanically polished concrete to big name retailers including JB HiFi, Dan Murphy, Beacon Lighting, Coles & Woolworths.
At the Coles Kirrawee Store in NSW, Mel Smith stands behind her “Big Bev” managing a 3,450 square metre site for PROGRIND Australia. This latest grinding equipment developed by WORX+, would easily appear overwhelming for some operators, but Mel’s been operating machinery since she was a kid. From earthmoving, to carpet laying, & being a mum, she is now part of a strong husband & wife team delivering thousands of square metres a year and loving it!
Apart from being in charge of all the diamond purchasing, (which woman wouldn’t want to!), Mel loves the challenge of exposing aggregate and transforming dull grey concrete into a showcase product. She’s not phased that she’s the only female on site behind a grinding machine and encourages other women to get out and “Give it a go”. Mel’s a firm believer in every problem goes away when “We’ll get it with the 50s!”
Meanwhile polishing away in WA, Kim operates ‘Big Kev’, project managing the new Perth DFO store polishing 6,500 square metres of Progrind Mechanically Polished Concrete. Pushing a concrete grinder is a long way from the hospitality industry she once worked in. Looking for a career change, Kim decided to team up with her partner initially for a few days a week, to now running a crew on site herself and it consuming her every waking hour! She’s not regretting it at all. Kim has worked on some flagship projects including Coles Trinity, Woolworths Singleton, Woolworths Banksia Grove, Coles Belmont and more. With these kind of metres on her grinding and polishing resume, Kim is fast becoming a top operator in the industry. Kim will be on the DFO project for up to three months, embracing its challenges and celebrating the final transformed product. Often the only female on site, Kim isn’t daunted, and her advice to other females is, “Don’t be afraid of the industry girls. Get a trade and go for it!” By the way, “Who’s turn is it to buy the coffees?”.
Attending her first WORX+ concrete grinding and polishing seminar, Dani is in the early stages of getting her learning foundations sorted. Keen to contribute to the larger projects with productivity engineered machinery that pump out the square metres; she’s eager to get into the thick of things. Dani’s determined to demonstrate her attention to detail, energetic attitude and commitment are key to building a successful concrete polishing and grinding business. Not afraid to dish it out with the men, Dani, gives it all a go. Preparing herself for the rigours of site at an operational level, as well as holding her own in this male dominated industry.
With plenty of opportunity for development and growth through the Progrind Teamworx model in an emerging industry, these women and others like them will continue to learn, transform floors and shine like diamonds in the rough.
