PROTECH PEOPLE: MEET SALLI WILSON
All her professional life, Salli Wilson has pushed the boundaries. As one of our Women in Asphalt graduates, this eager trainee has never let working in a male-dominated industry stop her from reaching her goals. Salli loves learning new skills and challenges herself to be the best all-rounder she can be. With Protech’s backing, Salli is confident her journey with us has only just begun.
A Strong Advocate
Sometimes, the best decisions you can make are those you’re unsure of. For Salli, that statement became true when she joined Protech. In her early 20s, Salli took the non-traditional route of working on off-shore oil rigs, and was able to travel the world thanks to her roster. After COVID-19 struck, Salli was compelled to forge a new path – but she knew she wouldn’t find herself in an office.
“I always look for jobs that are a bit different,” Salli says. “I don’t go for stereotypical female positions, and I just can’t sit at a desk. There’s not anything wrong with that, but I want to show that women can do anything that men do.”
So, after seven years of life on oil rigs, Salli began looking for jobs on the Gold Coast. That’s when a SEEK listing for Protech’s Women in Asphalt Program piqued her interest. However, Salli says applying was a bit daunting at first.
“I didn’t know what asphalting was. But I saw the program included civil construction training, so I decided to give it a try. The next day, Protech called me up for an interview.”
Salli took a chance with us, and we’re thrilled she did! From the moment she started the 12-week course in 2021, Salli’s skills and confidence vastly improved. The program is run in conjunction with Fulton Hogan and Boral, and together, our commitment to raise the number of women in construction from 12% to 25% by 2026 is in full swing. Salli says the goal is something she can get behind.
“It’s amazing to see. I encourage all women not to be scared of a male-dominated industry. All the people I’ve worked with, they’ve actually taken the time to show me how to do things properly. They haven’t said, ‘Oh she’s a female, I don’t want to give her the time of day.’ If you’re interested, they’ll help you.”
Women in Asphalt Program
Want to learn more about our Women in Asphalt Program?
Push for productivity
As a full time trainee, Salli loves getting stuck in onsite. However, her work day is a little different from most!
“I’m on night shift, because most asphalt work is done at night. So, I get up at 3pm, drive to work, and then we’re told what the prep work is and how many tonnes will be laid. There’s no finish time – you finish when the job is done.”
Thanks to her years working on the oil rigs, Salli was able to easily adapt to this unusual schedule. She says the role would suit other night owls who know how to stick to a balanced routine, but says Protech is always happy to accommodate when family duties call. Salli also gets the flexibility to pursue her interests outside of work. On her days off, she runs an online swimwear business, and enjoys heading to the beach any chance she gets.
“I really like being busy,” Salli says. “If you love your sleep, it might not be right for you. I just do what I would do in the mornings, but at night!”
And when she’s on the job, Salli isn’t afraid to try new things. She gained a Certificate II and III in Civil Construction through the asphalt program – but Salli isn’t finished yet, and is excited about becoming an all-rounder.
“I started off on the ground, doing hand work. Then one of the supervisors saw I was eager to learn. They set me up for a training program for a multi-roller, and I love it because I’ve been given a chance to show I can do it. My goal is to work my way up to other machines as well, like a bobcat and roller license. I’m encouraged to build upon those skills.”
“They genuinely care”
With the support of Protech, Salli feels like the sky’s the limit. The type of care she receives is something she hasn’t felt at previous workplaces, and that’s why Salli sees herself growing with us for years to come.
“Protech has driven out to the job site, sometimes two hours away, to see how you are. We have one-on-one conversations and they ask about what I’ve been learning. They genuinely care about you.”
