Calling Gold Coast's Future Tradeswomen

TAFE Queensland invited Gold Coast trade employers and their female apprentices to The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Women on Tools BBQ Breakfast at the TAFE Queensland Ashmore Campus from 8:00am on Friday 25 November.

TAFE Queensland General Manager Karen Dickinson said, as the State’s largest and most trusted training provider, TAFE Queensland is passionate about encouraging and empowering more girls and women to consider pursuing a trade pathway. 

“Since the 2017/2018 financial year, over the last few years TAFE Queensland on the Gold Coast has seen over 50 per cent more females commence apprentice training across some of the more traditionally male dominated trade areas including: Automotive, Building and Construction, Engineering, Manufacturing and Design, Plumbing and Utilities,” Ms Dickinson said.

“The Women on Tools BBQ Breakfast is an opportunity to not only recognise and celebrate the Gold Coast’s amazing tradeswomen, but also provides the next generation of female tradies to speak to local trailblazers and learn how to pursue a career in trades,” she said.

NAWIC Project Coordinator Ruth Gunaseelan said it is important to hold events like this as it demonstrates industry support for women and girls in non-traditional trades and construction roles.

“Women in trades is growing each year and I believe those who have gone before and have shared their stories have inspired newcomers into the trades industry,” Miss Gunaseelan said.

“It’s important to continue to grow these events for the purpose of developing a strong and broad network to support and retain women in the trades industry,” she said.

Local employers have also shown their support with a number set to exhibit at the event including: Worldskills Queensland, Master Plumber Association QLD, Hutchinson Builders, BUSY At Work - The BUSY Group, BUSY Sisters, MEGT, DGT Employment & Training, BUSSQ, TIACS, Collabaloop, Add Staff Recruitment, Milwaukee Tools, Bunnings Trade, Cbus Super, The Service Trades College Australia, QBCC, she wear, TAFE, Yorke Consulting, Geberit AU, Plumbing Apprentices Queensland, QLeave Portable Long Service Leave, Sarina Russo Apprenticeships, TradeTools and NAWIC.

To learn more about how to build a successful trade career, visit Women in Trades | TAFE Queensland (tafeqld.edu.au).