Ashlea Reed on site in Cranbourne.
By Danielle Galvin
APPRENTICE plumber and Cranbourne girl Ashlea Reed says that women can be tradies, they just need to be tough.
The 24-year-old said women can do anything they put their minds to.
Last Tuesday, the fourth-year apprentice won the Rose Curtis Award from the Master Plumbers’ and Mechanical Services Association of Australia. “I think winning the award shows that women can get recognised for their hard work,” she said.
The namesake of the award, Rose Curtis, was a past president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Victorian Master Plumbers’ Association. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something,” Ashlea said.
Finding an apprenticeship was a difficult task for Ashlea, but her current employer, Beston Plumbing, was impressed with how tough she was. “You have to show that you’re serious about the trade. I always knew I wanted to do a trade and I love the variety of plumbing. Some days you’re up on a roof and other days you’re travelling all over Melbourne.”
Ashlea is the first female apprentice to win the award in its 104 year history. She says that her persistence paid off, and she can’t wait to keep studying.
“I know it sounds nerdy but I want to keep on studying! I want to learn about building and construction,” she said.
The Chisholm Institute of TAFE student said she’s a fairly regular girl. “I do like to go camping and play footy. But I dress up on the weekend and wear heels like every other girl.”
Ashlea plans to work as a plumber one day, but prior to that, she’s happy that she will soon be a qualified tradeswoman.
“I can’t believe I’m a fourth-year apprentice, it sounds scary. But I always wanted to do a licensed trade so that I could be qualified,” she said.
