Brenda Mala’s work day starts with contributing to the health and safety pre-start talk in the yard at Brian Perry Civil’s office in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

“Our construction crews meet, and we talk through the plan for jobs they are heading to that day and identify hazards,” Brenda says.

“I tell them, keep yourselves safe and go home this afternoon to see your family safely.”

Brenda joined BPC as the health and safety officer on the Lepetasi International Wharf project in 2015. It was her first role in construction after graduating with a Bachelor of Environmental Management & Planning from Lincoln University.

That was the start of a career that has seen the 33-year-old Vanuatu local progress to health and safety environmental advisor and then project administration assistant in the Port Vila branch office.

Brenda has recently been promoted to assistant branch manager, where she is responsible for health and safety as well as well as the fresh challenge of assisting with new business acquisitions and client support at the growing branch.  

“I enjoy the opportunities I get to work on site, seeing what the crews are doing and learning and the sense of accomplishment from finding solutions.”

Health and safety remains her passion.

“Keeping our team safe is my number one priority. Most of the guys working with us are the only bread winners in their families, and we place a lot of emphasis on the safety talk in the morning before they start work,” she says.

“It’s the people that drive this industry and without them, we can’t work.”

Brenda is also aware of being a role model for other women entering the construction industry.

“If I can do this, other local girls who want to can too. My message to them is, don’t look at the gender barrier. You can do it. Nothing is stopping you from being anything you want to be.

“Fletcher Construction takes good care of their people with training and support. They teach us to lead, and I’ve learnt that being a leader is not about dictating to people but listening and giving our people the chance to speak,” Brenda says.

“It’s the leadership that has taken me this far, and managers who value and acknowledge your contribution.”

Outside work, Brenda enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.