My Wyndham: Mandeep Kaur

Mandeep Kaur practicing bricklaying at Melbourne Polytechnic. (Supplied). 246026_01

Williams Landing resident Mandeep Kaur completed a bachelor of information technology in India before migrating to Australia three years ago. Ms Kaur, 24, said that as COVID-19 hit and job opportunities in the IT field lessened, she decided to become a bricklayer. She chats with Alesha Capone.

Why did you decide to take up bricklaying?

I was inspired by my friend’s husband who is a bricklayer. He encouraged me to pursue a trade so I enrolled in Melbourne Polytechnic’s certificate III in bricklaying and blocklaying mid-2020.

What was it like when you started studying?

When I started bricklaying, the kinds of things I would hear is that I’m ‘not strong enough to be in the trade’. I was often asked questions that doubted my abilities. It’s been challenging as a woman pursuing a male-dominated trade. I was one of the only women in my course.

What would you say to other women and girls who want to study a trade?

You have to be strong to face such a male-dominated environment, but trades for women is a great path. I would definitely encourage women to pursue trades. There’s been a shift of thinking when it comes to gender roles and anything a man can do, a woman can do.

What did you enjoy about studying?

I enjoyed everything, the college, my teachers, learning about the bricks and bricklaying.

What are you doing at the moment?

I’m doing brickwork at the moment, I’m working for a company where the boss hired me around a month ago. My boss is a very good teacher and is teaching me a lot on the job site.

Do you want to have your own business one day?

Maybe, maybe not – there are lots of different things I’m interested in. COVID gave me the chance to become a bricklayer.

What do you like about Williams Landing?

Williams Landing is good, there are lots of libraries, the train station is right there, the shopping centre and a lot of greenery.