Nancy making a mark in a man’s world

By JIMMY KALEBE
NANCY Pomanus is working hard to make her mark in a field normally dominated by men.
She is a first-year carpentry and construction apprentice with a company and aims to make it right up to the highest level.
Nancy, 24, graduated with a carpentry and construction certificate at the Madang Technical College in 2019.
Her parents are from Manus and Gulf.
She feels at home in her safety boots and workmen clothes as a first-year apprentice with Hornibrook NGI Ltd.
She is in charge of three other women working on a multi-million project in Lae. The women are specialists in their own trade – painting, plastering and carpentry.
“Being a woman employee of this company, I will encourage my three colleagues to also give their best to set a standard so that the company can employ more women in the industry.

“ It is not always easy working with men. But as you go through tough times, you get to know them and learn from them.”

“This is a job that women can also do. I am encouraging more women to take up trade that we wrongly think is for men only.”
Nancy joined the company last year and is gradually gaining experience. They are working on two other projects.
“I am gaining experience. Most of the work I do here were not taught in college.”
She is grateful to one of her expatriate bosses who was her mentor until he left. Nancy is now a team supervisor.
She finds it hard at times to ask male colleagues to explain how to tackle tasks, especially those who did not come through college.
But she tries her best to interact with men and ask questions as she knows that one can only learn more if one asks questions.
“I have my goal set. Despite facing challenges, I won’t give up. I will push on as I love my job.”
Project manager Franz Tripp described Nancy and her three colleagues as strong and who have been doing well in their jobs at the construction site.
He praises Nancy as their leader for demonstrating a high level of work ethics that has elevated her to be the best female worker on construction site.
“Hornibrook NGI Ltd employs women not only to do jobs on the site but also trains them to excel in their specialised fields.”
Nancy aims to complete her four-year apprentice with Hornibrook and then sign on as an employee.
She feels that if she can do her best in her profession, other women can also do the same not only in carpentry, but other trade skills as well.
“I am looking forward to do my block course in the near future but at the moment, I am going to give my best to make sure I learn as much as possible in the industry.”
Move over you men, Nancy is on the way.