One young woman who made the switch and has taken up a trade, can’t recommend it enough.
Tamara Messer, 20, is studying a Certificate III in Bricklaying/Blocklaying at Granville TAFE while working as an apprentice bricklayer.
“I entered the trade through my Dad who runs his own bricklaying business, but once I started the work I really enjoyed it,” she said.
“I love that it’s something that women don’t typically get into so I feel like I’ve accomplished something.
“I’ve worked as a chef previously but I’ve always been an outdoors person, so this career is perfect for me.
“I’d encourage other women to take the leap and take up a trade even if the work is hard, it’s enjoyable and rewarding.”
Research shows the major barriers include: Lack of information about trades in schools; poor workplace culture; and lack of structural support systems for women in male-dominated industries.
“With Australia facing an immense skills and labour shortage at a time when we are also in an infrastructure boom, it’s time for all levels of government and business to embrace our whole community – over half of which are females,” Tradeswomen Australia Chair Jane Sydenham-Clarke said.
“With over 65 trades registered on the National Skills Shortage list, there has never been a better time for women to start an apprenticeship or find a trades job.
“The average salary for a career in trades is $80,000.”
School leavers and mature women wanting to gain information on careers in the trades, should visit tradeswomenaustralia.com.au.
Push for more women, girls to take up ‘male dominated’ trade
WITH women representing less than two per cent of workers employed in the construction, automotive and electrical trades, Tradeswomen Australia is calling for more to be done to change the statistic which has remained the same for 25 years.
