At UGL, supporting equal opportunity is something we’re proud of. It enriches our workplace and makes us more successful and innovative. Electrician, Samantha Decolongon is a trailblazer at UGL Transport’s Kangy Angy site in New South Wales, and she wants to see more women taking up trades.
More women are stepping into these roles and are proving that determination, skill and leadership matter far more than traditional gender boundaries. For Samantha, choosing a trade has been both challenging and empowering. Her journey building confidence, learning and seizing opportunities offers valuable lessons for women considering the same path.
"Ever since becoming a tradesperson, I’ve always feared not knowing enough or not being good enough at my job,” said Samantha. “But I found that asking for help made a huge difference."
Being open to guidance and having strong mentors helped her tackle self-doubt.
"I feel so comfortable with my managers. They’ve been there every step of the way whenever I felt unsure," she said. "Their support has helped me transition from an apprentice to a qualified electrician.”
She sought advice often, including constructive feedback.
"I’d rather know where I’ve gone wrong than get a generic ‘you’re doing fine’. Honest feedback has helped me improve and grow so much."
Building confidence has been key to Samantha’s development and she now sees leadership as her next step. To strengthen her interview skills, she applied for a leading hand role. Although she didn’t get the position, the feedback she received was critical in her development.
"The feedback really helped me,” Samantha said. “It’s taught me to be more direct and confident when expressing my opinions. It’s encouraged me to put my hand up for new challenges I used to shy away from.”
For many women in trades, leadership development starts with being assertive and unapologetic about their skills and perspectives.
Samantha’s tips for women considering trades
Samantha’s advice for women considering trade careers is simple yet powerful:
1. Say "Yes" to opportunities
Don’t hesitate to take on new challenges or step into unfamiliar areas. Even if something doesn’t go as planned, you’ll gain experience.
"There’s no harm in saying yes to things. If you don’t like it, you can always move on, but you’ll never know unless you try," she said.
2. Seek mentors and feedback
Whether it’s a manager, leading hand, or coworker, find people who can provide guidance and honesty about your performance. Constructive criticism helps you improve and build confidence.
3. Grow through failure
Failure isn’t something to fear - it’s an opportunity to learn.
"Pressure creates diamonds. Putting yourself in uncomfortable situations now sets you up for success later," she said.
4. Be confident and assertive
Women in trades often feel pressure to balance assertiveness and professionalism. Clear communication and speaking up confidently helps build respect among peers and apprentices.
For young women considering trades, Samantha’s message is one of empowerment: take risks, step out of your comfort zone, seek mentorship, and build confidence by embracing opportunities.
“I wasn’t sure about taking the leap initially, but now I know it was the best decision I could have made. I love my job, and I see myself applying for leadership roles in the future,” Samantha concluded.