Harriet and Viarnne are joined by two amazing people from ⁠SA Power Networks ⁠ - Nikita Spice and Reid August. SA Power Networks is a cornerstone of South Australia’s energy infrastructure, delivering safe, reliable power to communities while advancing a culture where women and gender‑diverse people can build strong, successful careers in the field. Their commitment to progress is reflected in the achievements of trailblazers like Nikita Spice - the first qualified female Powerline Worker in the state - and leaders like Reid August, who brings operational insight and active allyship through his role on the Gender Equity Reference Group. SA Power Networks continues to demonstrate what meaningful industry leadership looks like: excellence in service, excellence in culture, and excellence in creating pathways that elevate women in the trades.

Discover Nikita's groundbreaking journey from joining SAPower Networks as a powerline apprentice in 2013 and becoming the first qualified female Powerline Worker in South Australia, to her role now as Apprentice Field Officer, guiding, where she mentors the apprentices coming through in her footsteps.

As well as being a member of the Gender Equity Reference Group, Reid is an Operations Supervisor at SA Power Networks Wingfield depot. Reid shares some great insights into the operational side at SAPN and what allyship looks like on a worksite.

SA Power Networks is one of EWIT’s highly valued Alliance Member Organisations. Find out more about the EWIT Alliance ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠.

The 4th Season of the Empowered Women in Trades Podcast is proudly sponsored by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mazzei Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - award-winning builders of exceptional homes since 2015.

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Mel and Viarnne speak with Lauren Faulke - QAL Apprentice and Trades Officer. Lauren plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of tradespeople. Her focus is on designing impactful training programs, upholding rigorous safety standards, and mentoring the next generation.

Lauren’s leadership is further enriched by her ongoing service as a Navy Reservist, where she contributes to recruitment and technical operations. With a proven ability to coach, lead, and foster a culture of safety and respect, Lauren is helping to build a more inclusive and skilled workforce – one apprentice at a time.

Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) has been a cornerstone of Gladstone, Queensland since operations began in 1967. Nearly 60 years on, they are now one of the world’s largest alumina refineries, producing around 3.7 million tonnes of high-quality smelter-grade alumina every year. QAL plays acritical role in the aluminum production process, by refining bauxite from Northern Australia into alumina, which is then used to produce aluminum, both locally and globally. As a committed contributor to the local community, QAL aims to be the employer of choice in the region.

QAL is one of EWIT’s highly valued Alliance Member Organisations. Find out more about the EWIT Alliance ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠.

The 4th Season of the Empowered Women in Trades Podcast is proudly sponsored by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mazzei Group⁠⁠⁠⁠ - award-winning builders of exceptional homes since 2015.

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Grace and Viarnne continue the conversation with the 2025 Empowered Women in Trades Award Winners, and welcome back Service Stream’s Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, James Smith, alongside Service Stream’s Chief People Officer, Sarah Bottomley. Service Stream took out the 2025 EWIT Award for an organization with the Most Innovative DE&I Program or Initiative for their brilliant in-house School Holiday Program.

The Award for Most Innovative DE&I Program or Initiative recognises a company or organisation that is creating meaningful pathways for underrepresented groups in trades, by embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into its culture, partnerships, and workforce strategy – leading by example, they are making DE&I a measurable part of how they grow, lead, and build the future of work.

This great discussion highlights how successful Service Stream's School Holiday Program is for increasing productivity and team wellbeing overall. Plus Sarah gives an overview of how apprenticeships work at Service Stream, the variety of fields they are offered in, and how Service Stream is working towards building a pipeline of roles for women in trades.

Service Stream is one of EWIT’s highly valued Alliance Member Organisations. Find out more about the EWIT Alliance ⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠.

The 4th Season of the Empowered Women in Trades Podcast is proudly sponsored by the ⁠⁠⁠Mazzei Group⁠⁠⁠ - award-winning builders of exceptional homes since 2015.

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