Women Increasingly Entering Skilled Trades

The number of women entering historically male-dominated trade professions is on the rise. This shift is exemplified by individuals like Hayley Miles, 41, from NSW Northern Rivers, who transitioned from running a hairdressing business for over a decade to becoming a carpenter. She now successfully operates her own carpentry business and works within the timber industry.

A Shifting Workforce Landscape

Data indicates a significant surge in women pursuing construction trade courses, with enrollments more than doubling in the five years leading up to 2025.

Currently, women constitute approximately 13 percent of the construction workforce, a proportion that industry leaders identify as an important shift.

Jennifer Perkins, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning in Construction and Energy at TAFE NSW, observes this change directly in classrooms. Some classes now have up to half female students. Ms. Perkins, herself an electrician who started her apprenticeship in 1987, notes that attitudes are gradually evolving regarding trades being gender-specific.

Factors Driving the Change

The construction industry, like many other trade sectors, faces ongoing workforce shortages. Ms. Perkins suggests a clear solution:

"Recruiting from the entire population, rather than only half, immediately expands the potential workforce and introduces greater diversity of thought."

This broader recruitment strategy can significantly strengthen teams and workplaces.

Persistent Barriers: Culture and Bias

Despite the encouraging growth, workplace culture remains a significant barrier for women considering careers in trades. Tenille Reilly, manager of a women in trades support program on the Gold Coast, has observed a substantial increase in women seeking apprenticeships or traineeships. These are often mature-aged individuals who previously did not consider trades as a viable option.

Ms. Reilly highlights that unconscious bias and established workplace traditions can make it challenging for employers to consider female candidates. This is often due to a lack of prior experience seeing women on job sites, rather than intentional discrimination.

A Carpenter's Journey: Hayley Miles' Story

Hayley Miles described her transition from hairdressing to construction as a stark shift with challenges. Despite initial financial sacrifices, she found long-term benefits. Miles strongly encourages women to consider trade careers, emphasizing that age or gender should not be deterrents.