Dr Kylie Taffard
Special Projects Manager
Through my work as an educator in secondary schools, I have developed a keen interest in how to highlight the opportunities available within the construction and infrastructure sectors. A particular focus is gender diversity in the construction trades, as I witnessed several young women who were originally interested, reject construction trades as a career.
My focus on gender diversity has provided me with the opportunity to work on research projects within Aotearoa New Zealand focused on women in non-traditional trades. I have also completed a Doctor of Education through the University of Auckland investigating the advice provided to young women interested in the construction trades by secondary school Career Development Educators.
My research experiences led me to the Construction and Infrastructure Centre of Vocational Excellence (ConCOVE), where I am the Special Projects lead. Alongside my mahi, I co-founded Women in Trades NZ and am currently the Co-Chair.