Elizabeth Neemia is on a mission to break the myth that women cannot be in construction work, after she graduated with a Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC)-certified construction trade certificate.

The happily married 40-year-old mother of three completed a short course at the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) and graduated  with a certificate in construction trade. She was among the 15 women who did the course.

She said there is always the perception that working in the building and construction industry is only for men when women can also take on the tasks. 

“Usually when we talk about construction you immediately think of it as a man’s job but I believe that women can also do the job," Mrs. Neemia said. 

"Construction has many parts to it and does not just focus on carpentry, there is safety, site officer, project manager, and it is very useful for women as homemakers.

“In almost any family in Samoa, women do not usually get to have a voice when it comes to building houses, it is the duty of the men."

 According to Mrs. Neemia, most home chore responsibilities that women take on focus on cooking, cleaning and looking after the children.

But the APTC course she undertook has now broadened her skill-set, as she says she can now "fix things around the house" which was previously a man's domain.  

“This course has helped me to know what I can do and things I can fix around the house for myself. I want to encourage other women to take up construction, if you believe in yourself, you can do anything. If men can do it then we can do it too.”

Mrs. Neemia graduated on Tuesday and now has a certificate that will qualify her for the next stage of learning to further her skills in construction. 

She hails from Leulumaega and Fasitoo and hopes that other women from her village get inspiration from her achievements. She said for now she will look to gain experience in the industry first before working towards starting her own business.

The APTC Interim Executive Director, Nicki Baird congratulated all 82 students who completed their training courses with APTC, especially the two cohorts of women who were awarded following their completion of trade courses with 23 women in plumbing and 15 in construction.

“These courses open up pathways for more women to take up opportunities to be construction and maintenance workers and plumbers for Samoa’s growing infrastructure sector," said Ms. Baird. 

"We hope that women can contribute to improve sanitation and hygiene and safe healthy homes for communities.”

The women in construction course is fully funded by the APTC and was introduced in December last year. Now that they have their new APTC certified qualifications, they hope that they can contribute to the development of the economy and country.