Tania-Joy Bartlett has built her career in the skilled trades with determination, resilience, and a clear vision for fairness. A Master Electrician with a 309A electrical qualification and training as a heavy equipment operator, she has always placed education and high standards at the centre of her work.
Her early years in the trades were marked by obstacles. As a woman entering a male-dominated field, she faced discrimination and harassment. Rather than step back, she chose to outlearn and outwork her critics. “I made sure I had more qualifications than those discriminating,” she explains. That decision set the tone for her career and her approach to leadership.
Bartlett became the owner of New Beginnings Contracting Services and later New Beginnings Building Services, where she created workplaces that valued skill over stereotype. Safety, quality, and equality were the pillars of her businesses. This approach earned her over 25 community awards, including recognition from her local Chamber of Commerce for her efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion in the trades.
Equally important to her story is her dedication to volunteering and mentoring. Her favourite award remains her Volunteer Award with Junior Achievement, reflecting her passion for speaking to students about opportunities in the trades. She continues to advocate for education, balance, and resilience.
Beyond her professional life, she enjoys fishing, gardening, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Bartlett’s journey is a reminder that leadership in any industry comes from hard work, personal standards, and a commitment to opening doors for others and to never give up.
In Conversation with Tania-Joy Bartlett: Building Skills and Breaking Barriers in the Trades
Q: Can you tell us how you first became interested in the trades?
I’ve always been drawn to practical work. I like seeing the results of my hands. Early on, I realised the trades were a way to build a real career and make an impact. I studied hard, earned my 309A electrical qualification, became a Master Electrician, and trained as a heavy equipment operator. It wasn’t just about getting a job. It was about proving that I could do it, even when people said I couldn’t.
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced entering the industry?
The biggest challenge was acceptance. Being a woman in the trades and as a business owner meant I was often underestimated or even harassed. Instead of backing down, I focused on education. I thought, if I have more qualifications than anyone questioning me, then I can’t be ignored. That became my strategy.
Q: How did that mindset shape your career?
It shaped everything. When I started New Beginnings Contracting Services, and later New Beginnings Building Services, I wanted to create a workplace where skills mattered more than anything else. Safety, quality, and equality were my top priorities. I wanted people to know that they’d be judged by their work, not by their gender or their background.
Q: What kind of recognition did you receive for that work?
I’ve been honoured with over 25 community awards, including recognition from our local Chamber of Commerce. But the award that means the most to me is the Volunteer Award with Junior Achievement. I earned it for mentoring students and speaking in schools about careers in the trades. Inspiring young people feels just as important as completing a big project.
Q: How do you keep learning and developing your skills?
I’ve always believed in continuing education. I take courses on new tools, systems, and safety practices. The industry never stands still. If you stop learning, you fall behind. I also encourage others to do the same. Even a one-day workshop can give you fresh ideas and better habits.
Q: What do you think about current trends in the trades?
One that excites me is green building technology. Whether it’s solar panels or energy-efficient systems, tradespeople are at the front line of climate action. It’s a chance to combine technical skill with something bigger — making a difference for the future.
Q: How do you balance your professional and personal life?
Balance has always been important. I enjoy fishing, gardening, reading, and spending time with my family. It’s easy to get lost in work, but you need both personal fulfilment and professional success. That’s what keeps you steady.
Q: What advice would you give to someone facing discrimination or doubt in their career?
Don’t let other people set your standards. Set your own and live by them. That’s what I did. No one’s harder on me than I am on myself, and that’s what’s carried me through. Typically the people discriminating are coming from a place of jealousy or lack of personal self worth, don’t let their shortfalls as a person impact your path. Trust should be earned and not given.
Q: Looking back, what lessons have you learnt from your journey?
That setbacks don’t define you. When my businesses closed, it was one of the hardest times of my life. But I learnt that my identity wasn’t tied to a company name. It was tied to my values — education, hard work, and giving back.
Q: What message would you like to leave for the next generation entering the trades?
Be open to learning, push past stereotypes, and remember that skill is what matters. The trades are full of opportunity if you’re willing to put in the effort.
