The Good Builder by definition is all about good builders, so every week we are going to have an informal chat with one of the best in the business to find out what makes them tick, and reveal a few secrets that even their workmates don’t know.

And who better to start with than Felicity Pettiford, a 21 year old qualified carpenter and builder, and 2024 Empowered Women In Trades (EWIT) – Tradie Lady of the Year. 

TGB – Welcome to Brew with a Builder Felicity, what first attracted you to becoming a builder?

Felicity – Definitely school. I absolutely loved being really handsy and just getting involved in different curriculum activities like being outdoors, working with power tools and everything. And then once I completed my apprenticeship, I was asked by my boss, would  I think of studying further into the career. Would I do a cert four, and that it would be good pay wise and also give me more experience in the industry, and allow me to take up supervisor and project management roles and also run my own building jobs.

TGB – You mentioned your apprenticeship. What was the most memorable event during your apprenticeship?

Felicity – Definitely winning a scholarship when I was a second year for The Best Apprentice of the Year? I was nominated by a couple of people in the company I was working with at the time. And I ended up getting $20,000 for that to help pursue my apprenticeship, get my tools and get the funds for toolboxes and paying my car off as well, so that helped dramatically.

TGB – We all get advice through our careers. What’s the best advice you’ve had so far?

Felicity – The best advice I’ve definitely taken on board, and I’m saying it myself now to other people, is,

…don’t give up if you have a passion for something…

the only person who’s going to tell you no is yourself. If you want it bad, fight for it because at the end of the day, it all comes down to you.

TGB – And who’s been your biggest mentor?

Felicity – Honestly, my parents. My parents have been my rock, my closure and my mentor. They told me don’t give up on yourself, if you want something, you have to fight for it. Supporting me through all the knockbacks and the people telling me I wasn’t good enough or capable enough to or fit enough to do this job.

My parents told me to not listen to that, because,

… at the end of the day, you know what you’re capable of, and people who don’t know you wouldn’t know what you’re capable of doing, except for yourself.

So don’t listen to that. You have to pick yourself back up and go out there again and find a new job or find a different company to be working with.

TGB – What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen on a work site?

Felicity – Definitely a hole in the Portaloo. This ceiling was completely taken out, there was a massive hole in the Portaloo and as I’ve gone in, I looked up and I could literally see the balcony. And I was like, oh yeah. no, I’ll wait.

TGB – And what’s something interesting about you that your work mates wouldn’t know about you? 

Felicity – Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever had this conversation with work boys that I actually used to do boxing. I think for a couple of years when I was younger, for self-defense, Watch out, boys.

TGB – And this is called Brew with a Builder,  what is your favourite brew?

I used to love energy drinks, but I’ve sort of cut down on that, maybe just a coffee here and there.

Author: The Good Builder

The Good Builder is a media platform that provides news and insights for Australia’s home building industry. From exclusive stories and curated insights to bold industry perspectives, we deliver the news and updates that keep builders, suppliers, and the entire home building industry inspired and ahead of the curve.