Women in trades

A desire to build her own tiny home led Shaylah Taufa into an apprenticeship and a job with one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of purpose-built trucks

After building a successful corporate career in finance and business improvement within the manufacturing and logistics sectors, Donna Wenham never imagined she would one day own and operate a craft distillery.

What started as a two-month work experience placement has grown into a thriving career in engineering for Rachelle Turner (or Shellie) as a TAFE Queensland apprentice. Five years ago, she stepped into the trade environment unsure of where it might lead.

Kym Moule never imagined a casual job behind the bar at Cauldron Distillery would spark a career in brewing and distilling.

Crawling under roofs with spiders may not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but for Fraser Coast Apprentice of the Year Tayla Axelsen, it’s all part of the job.

TAFE Queensland has been confirmed as a key delivery partner in the national FemTech project, led by Professionals Australia and supported by $4.9 million through the Australian Government’s Building Women’s Careers Program.

As a leader in skills development and training, TAFE Queensland has been chosen to spearhead a third national TAFE Centre of Excellence focusing on construction.

From having no idea what she wanted to do, to working behind-the-scenes at gigs such as P!nk, Coldplay and Post Malone, apprentice electrician Mikayla Jodvalkis has followed her curiosity into an unexpected career.

Local Townsville resident and apprentice Hollie McIntosh has been named the BUSY Inspiring Apprentice of the Year at the 2025 TAFE Queensland – SkillsTech CSQ Apprentice Awards.

When Ila first stepped into the workshop at TAFE Queensland, she didn’t expect to be the only women in the room. But that didn’t stop her from diving headfirst into her engineering apprenticeship and quickly proving she could hold her own.

For Brianna Thirlwall, the road to becoming an auto electrician hasn’t been easy. But with determination – and the backing of her employer Glencore – she has not only pushed through challenges but risen to become the Female Trade Student of the Year at the TAFE Queensland 2025 Mount Isa Trade Excellence Awards.

50 young women came together at TAFE Queensland’s Townsville Trade Training Centre (Bohle) campus to explore the many opportunities available in construction, as part of the Constructing HER Career – Women in Construction event.