Radmila Desic AM

Carpenter and joiner

‘I am a Montenegrin born Australian who has built and diversified a professional career on the foundations of my trade as a carpenter and joiner, and dedication to improve the attraction, retention and further development of women in non-traditional trades and careers.

‘Current statics demonstrating a continued improvement in the uptake of non-traditional trades indicates the future for our Queensland women is one full of not only opportunity, but also a decline to women’s cycle of poverty as they achieve greater pay equity in industries where remuneration is significantly higher. In my experience to date, most leaders in male dominated industries started out with a trade giving them the technical knowledge, which is often invaluable to the success of these organisations.

‘The key issue for women in these industries is a lack of policy in relation to their role as primary care givers; the government and these industries must address this for us to reach critical mass by considering ideas like a portable parental leave scheme. The other issue is site culture and the lack of mentoring, support and coaching to assist the industry to adapt to a diverse and inclusive workforce.

‘International Women’s Day is a significant day for me, and I will celebrate Queensland Women’s Week by supporting and promoting their amazing achievements.’