Yasmin Clark – She Builds The Future Feature

Describe your job – What do you do, and what does a typical day look like?

I am a first fix framer at a prefabricated building construction company. In the factory, we build wall frames, floors and roofs. We do cladding, Hebel, beams, posts and detailed notches. We install windows and doors, make cassettes and raked walls. A lot of our work is done on the auto nailer, which gives us great experience using different tools and machinery. We have also started doing more traditional joinery which has been really interesting to learn. We also head out to site to install everything we have built — from standing wall frames to installing purlins. We do it all. I love that there is always something new to learn and there is so much variety between different house designs.

What do you love about your job? – What excites or motivates you the most?

I love working as part of a team but I also enjoy working independently and challenging myself to improve every day. I am always competing against myself and trying to be better than I was yesterday. There is such a strong sense of accomplishment in what we do. Seeing a site go from a concrete slab to a high-quality finished home that showcases hands-on craftsmanship is incredibly rewarding.

I am proud to be a woman in a male-dominated industry and to challenge stereotypes. Standing up for myself when things are tough has made me stronger. I enjoy the banter on site and the camaraderie with the boys especially when there is mutual respect. I am grateful for the leadership and support around me. Team leaders like Matt, Brad and Brayden have been great role models and my boss Brook gave me my start in the industry. I will always be thankful to him for the opportunities and learning experiences I have had at Framewayz.

My goal is to become the best carpenter I can be. I am currently completing my Certificate IV to work towards becoming a supervisor or builder because I want to keep growing my skills and knowledge. I am excited to see how far I can go with Framewayz under such strong role models.

What drew you to the building industry? – How did you get started, and what inspired you?

I have always loved the building industry. There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishment when a home you have helped build is finished and a family moves in. Being able to drive past and say “I built that” is something special.
The constant learning and the challenges are what motivate me to work harder and improve.

I would also like to thank my mum Dara. She encouraged me to follow my passion for construction and has supported me every step of the way. She has helped me problem solve, grow and achieve everything I have accomplished in trade school and during my apprenticeship at Framewayz. Amanda Hewer is my construction mentor and has also been a huge support. She goes above and beyond to help women in trades and I am incredibly grateful for her guidance.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in construction?

Keep pushing yourself to become the best tradie you can be. Take every opportunity to learn and grow even if the job is tough or not the most exciting. Sticking at it shows resilience and strength. Work hard, be willing to learn and stay eager to improve. Those qualities go a long way. Personally, I worked as hard as I could to prove myself and I continue to do so. Confidence grows when you back yourself and show up every day ready to learn.