Hey, my name’s Maddi and I was initially employed as a trade's assistant. I managed to land the role here at CAPS through referral by Daniel Bain. I used to come to the Perth Branch and serve everybody coffee in my previous job as a barista. I truly must give credit to Daniel for pushing me to apply and believing in me, he’s been a great mentor and boss. I’ve since learned an abundance of new skills within the engineering team and this year have started my electrical apprenticeship!

I’ve managed the procedures and certification processes surrounding pressure relief valves including new builds. All while helping to train new team members to fill my role as I move into my new adventure.

How do you champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
I actively participate within toolbox and safety meetings, making sure my opinion as a young woman in the workplace is heard, as it might be a new or different opinion than the usual perspective. I think this will provide the opportunity for other people who may not necessarily have spoken up before, to be brave enough to voice a different opinion. I believe I’ve paved the way for the hiring of other females in my department.

Is there anything any message you’d like to convey for International Women’s Day?
I’d love to see more women employed, especially within engineering and trade orientated roles. While a male dominated industry I believe CAPS has amazing opportunities and I’d encourage any women to jump right in!

My name is Fritzie. You may call me Zi for short, so I do not have to spell my name ;) I am a National Parts Interpreter, working under the fun-tastic CAPS Parts Group. We deal with parts for compressors, generators, and air tools. I am currently based in Hobart, in the Apple Isle, Tasmania.

What motivated you to pursue a career at CAPS?
CAPS found me… twice. The first time was when I was still in Manila, Philippines, and the 2nd time while I was working for the local government in Huonville, Tasmania. I started as a National Service Coordinator, based at CAPS Welshpool, then moved to the CAPS Parts Group. In 2013, I left CAPS to stay at home with my daughter.

In 2018, I started filling in for various roles at All Compressor Parts and CAPS Perth. I was able to acquire organisational and transferable skills as I adapted to the various roles.

In 2019, after a short stint at WEG, our family moved to Tasmania for a lifestyle change. I worked for some challenging organisations, namely, the Department of Education and the Huon Valley Council. My exposure to different work environments gave me opportunities to develop calm conflict resolution, to expand my customer service skills and to keep learning. Little did I know that I will be back at CAPS in October 2022.

Can you highlight some of your notable accomplishments or contributions to the company?
It is a privilege to be thought of highly enough to fill in for different roles, and to be offered a job back into CAPS. Being able to contribute positively to business continuity and productivity to both ACP and CAPS and our stakeholders through the years are what I would consider my accomplishments.

How do you champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
As an immigrant and a person of mixed heritage, naturally, English is not my first language, so communication is not my best skill. However, a positive mindset and a cheerful attitude, most often than not, have most definitely gotten me into good camaraderie with my colleagues and be part of the team.

All these years, different departments within CAPS have been delightful and helpful to me. This is most appreciated, especially since I am working remotely, and not able to go around to someone’s work area or knock at their door, in person. Guess, I am blessed in that way. I even made some friends here.

I do not see myself as a mentor or advocate, but I just do my role the best possible way I know how, not get into any work politics, and keep turning up to learn and deliver good customer service. And I am very lucky to work with skilled, experienced and lovely people.

What advice do you have for other women aspiring to excel within CAPS?
Turn up, do your job to the best of your ability, keep learning, and help others if you can. Be nice :) People will appreciate your efforts and will be willing to work with you.

Is there anything else you'd like to share regarding your experience as a woman at CAPS or any message you'd like to convey for International Women's Day?
Anyone can be an asset if they want to be part of the solution :) Don’t sweat the small stuff. Choose to be happy and take the time to talk to people.

Hi, my name is Vanessa.  I support the Service activities of the business, primarily training and supporting the national team of coordinators.

Could you provide a summary of your professional journey and how you got to your current role?

I worked in the UK for 10 years in a sales position for a global bearing manufacturer, before being made redundant and taking a position as a service coordinator/ internal key account manager for a worldwide business in the air industry.  I moved to Australia from the UK over 15 years ago and when I started the search for work, several opportunities presented themselves.  Ultimately, I decided to accept the offer of a position at CAPS in an industry that I was familiar with, and where I felt my skills and experience could be applied and hopefully make a difference.

Can you highlight some of your notable accomplishments or contributions to the company?
My role has changed continuously since I was first offered a position at CAPS, where I looked after a small team of coordinators who organised all the Preventative Maintenance scheduling on behalf of all the branches.  These activities were restructured back into a branch specific task, and this is where I started to transition to more of a service support role.  The introduction of XRM is one of the more notable events and was both exciting and challenging all at the same time.  My part in the roll out of a new system is something that I am quite proud of, and to work alongside other notable women, to grow my knowledge and understanding to be able to support the teams as much as possible, I feel has been quite an achievement, given I don’t have an IT/Systems background. 

How do you champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
I hold regular Service Coordinator meetings to bring the team together as one, help them know that they are not alone, and we are often experiencing the same challenges. I endeavour to encourage them to share any challenges so that we can learn and grow together, while retaining our own unique requirements. 

What advice do you have for other women aspiring to excel within CAPS?
I would advise you to play to your strengths, know what you are good at and utilise that wherever possible to help you be the best you can, both in your career and personal life.  Be open and receptive to new ideas but don’t be afraid to speak up if you have a different view.  Own your goals so that you can be the one to steer you to your destiny.

Is there anything else you'd like to share regarding your experience as a woman at CAPS or any message you'd like to convey for International Women's Day?
I would just like to convey that I really enjoy working with everyone in the team, you are all Queens, and you rock! Happy International Women’s Day, stand tall and believe in yourself. You’ve got this.

Hi, I’m Rosanna and I have been working as a Service Coordinator in the Sydney branch since March 2011. Alongside my coordination role I have also done some Service BDM and National service support work.

What motivated you to pursue a career at CAPS or in your specific field/department?
Previously I had been working in a co-ordinator role for another distribution company for almost 5 years. What motivates me to excel in my role is helping find solutions to problems by coordinating resources for customers as well as assisting my manager and colleagues where possible.

Can you highlight some of your notable accomplishments or contributions to the company?
Learning Pronto when I first started was a bit of a challenge, a lot was self-taught - Training and information has come a long way in CAPS over the past decade.

Returning from maternity leave the first time to find I had a new manager, new colleagues and CAPS had introduced a new working system was a little unnerving at first. I had never worked with any type of CRM program and it was almost like I had stepped into a new company. But I quickly adapted to the new environment and before long was assisting others who had been part of the initial release. This is due to my passion to better myself and provide support to others along the way.

How do you champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
I believe leading by example and encouragement is the best way to mentor fellow colleagues. Because I am motivated by helping others and finding solutions my door is always open and I contribute wherever I can on a professional and personal level.

What advice do you have for other women aspiring to excel within CAPS?
My advice would be to build a support network. Working within a team you value & trust helps motivate you to be your best, but also those people are there to support you when you’re not. Take initiative, but remember there is no shame is asking for help, asking questions is how we learn and grow.

Is there anything else you'd like to share regarding your experience as a woman at CAPS or any message you'd like to convey for International Women's Day?
Happy International Women’s Day – lets continue to uplift & support other women within our workplace and in everyday life.