Meet Carly VenemaCarly Venema – Project Coordinator

Carly Venema joined VAE as an Administration assistant straight after high school. Over the past six years, she’s worked in numerous roles throughout the company and has really enjoyed the variety.

“I started work as an admin assistant supporting Meghan Shatford (Executive Assistant), and I did a bit of everything,” Carly says.

“From there I joined the sales team and went to Sales administration for a year, and when Brooke Brennan went on maternity leave, I was like, ‘Ooh project admin, let’s try that.’”

“I did that for a couple of years and then more recently I’ve gone into a trainee project management role. In my job now, I’m helping Craig [Hockey] on two of his projects. My responsibilities have grown a fair bit from Project Administration, and I’ve really enjoyed the challenge. The more I understand, the more I can take on.”

Carly says she really enjoys spending time on construction sites, which she does twice a week in her current role.

“I get to see how the team install duct, what bit goes where and how it all comes together. I’ve also learnt how to read drawings. I know it sounds simple, but when you actually look at it, there’s so much going on. Over time I’ve learnt that duct is coloured differently depending on its purpose: supply, exhaust, return, outside air. It’s cool to learn what it all means,” Carly says.

“When I’m onsite, I’m able to see how progress of site is going, when I’m in the office, you know that duct or equipment is coming in, or people are starting onsite, but you obviously can’t see it. So it’s good to go out and actually see, we’ve got this side of the building installed, or we’ve got an issue over there. Having that visualisation is really helpful. It’s also good for claims, because you can’t claim something that’s not installed!”

“I like that I’m learning. I’m one of those people whose brain always has to be engaged so I’m enjoying the new role, and I’ve got heaps to learn.”

One of the elements that keeps Carly at VAE is the company culture.

“VAE has an interesting way of getting people who have big personalities but work in well together,” she says.

“The culture is very fun, very light, but at the same time you’re able to have a proper conversation and you’ll be taken seriously. People are pretty open; it’s a safe space to say your opinion.”

The job opportunities Carly has experienced have also contributed to her staying with VAE.

“Having the opportunity to go down the project management pathway has been awesome,” she says.

“VAE said to me, ‘Okay this is what you want to do, we think you’d be good at it, so how ‘bout it?’ They’ve taken that approach rather than, ‘Oh, maybe we’ll wait, and if you went and did this course and then went and did that, maybe we’ll talk about that opportunity,’ and then it never eventuates. It means a lot that I’ve been given the trust to give it a go.”

Looking to the future, Carly is excited about continuing to grow in her current role.

“I’m looking forward to progressing more. I want to learn more, have different opportunities come in, be on different jobs and work with different people,” she says.