Trade pathways for women
Get involved in the NSW Government program to get more women into trades. The program helps tackle skills shortages in trades areas. It also offers women employment security in high demand industries.
Training Services NSW is working to get more women into trades.
This strategy is part of the Trade Pathways Program.
This page explains why and how this approach is important.
See Get involved to find out what’s already available to help women in trades.
You can also download the Women in Trades Strategy brochure or contact us at tradepathways@det.nsw.edu.au.
Why the new approach
Women are underrepresented in trades – making up only 2% of qualified trade workers.
The lack of women entering trades is a serious economic issue (The Productivity Commission White Paper released on 31 May 2021)
Women are vital to addressing trade skill shortages.
Trade careers are rewarding and improve economic security for women.
Why there are low numbers of women in trades
Research shows that it’s partly cultural.
Some industries resist encouraging women in the workforce.
There are perceptions built up over time about which jobs and roles are ’suitable’ for women.
Women often don’t enter the trades industry because they perceive that it’s male dominated.
Why we need women in trades
Nationwide there are critical skills shortages in industries such as building and construction. Women are an untapped market. The trades industry offers women employment stability and economic security.
How the strategy will work
This strategy comes from research and consultation with industry and women’s advocacy groups.
The Trade Pathways Program aims to:
champion women in trades
create informed, accessible and supported pathways from start to finish
increase awareness of gender discrimination in trades workplaces, including helping workplace supervisors manage conscious and unconscious bias
improve access and opportunities so women can take the first step into a trades career.
Key messages
Women are vital to addressing trade skill shortages
Trade careers are rewarding and positively impact on the economic security of women
Innovative marketing will reinvent the image of women in trades
Strong relationships between the NSW Government and industry will help redress the gender imbalance in trades.
Get involved
Women in trade initiatives include:
Built for women – Access fee-free training in construction and related industries.
Connecting Women to Trades (see below)– Programs enabling introductory experiences and targeted support for women considering a career in trades.
Group Training Organisation Recruitment Program – Opening up training and employment opportunities for women.
Call Training Services NSW 132 811 for skills brokerage or advice.
Watch the women in trades video for an inspiring discussion.
Download the Women in Trades Strategy brochure.
Funded projects Connecting Women to Trades
Here’s 10 funded projects identified in a recent Grant Round for Connecting Women to Trades. This was conducted by Training Services NSW.
These projects will engage with Smart and Skilled providers to deliver fee-free part qualifications.
They’ll offer an introductory experience and targeted support for women considering a career in trades.
The projects will boost the number of women in trades through:
Increasing the appeal of trades
Removing cultural and societal barriers
Supporting learning to maximise vocational outcomes.
They’ll provide targeted training (accredited and non-accredited) and career information sessions to achieve outcomes.
Organisations and projects funded in the first grant round include:
| Organisation | Project description | Project location |
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| Australian Training Company Ltd | Connecting Women to Trades-Laying the Foundation for Women in Construction will support women by providing an introductory experience in the building and construction industry. Participants will complete fundamental pre-employment courses and a career development workshop to help them obtain apprenticeships or trainee opportunities within trades. |
Illawarra, Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven Capital Region and Far South Coast |
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Connecting Women to Trades - Tiddas in Trades will encourage participant engagement in the construction and earth-moving industries, with a particular focus on creating opportunities for Aboriginal women. |
Dubbo, for whole LGA (Dubbo Regional) which includes Wellington |
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Connecting Women to Trades - If You Can Then I Can provides a ‘hands on’ introduction to trade industries for young females. Participant support will be provided through resume assistance, supplementary skill development and confidence building activities. |
Central & Northern Sydney |
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Connecting Women to Trades- Building Lady Tradies will provide women with a holistic approach to overcoming barriers to a career path in construction. Participants will gain exposure to various trade career pathways by completing workplace construction-related courses and engaging with female trade guest speakers. |
Central Coast |
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Connecting Women to Trades - Career Connections will encourage women to pursue a career in the manufacturing and engineering industries. The project will engage employers to facilitate employment opportunities. |
Hunter & Central Coast |
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Connecting Women to Trades - Muslim Women in Hospitality will attract CALD and vulnerable women to the hospitality industry and reduce barriers that prevent engagement with trades. The project will offer pathways to further training and employment. |
Southern & South Western Sydney |
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Connecting Women to Trades - A New Approach will address skills shortages in the mining, manufacturing and construction industries. The project will be focussed on creating training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal women. |
Western NSW – Gunnedah North West NSW |
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Connecting Women to Trades-Women in Power will provide women with on the job training, professional and personal development and mentoring. Participants will complete employer training courses to understand the NSW electrical and construction industry better. |
Central and Northern Sydney, Southern and South Western Sydney, Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains Illawarra |
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Connecting Women to Trades - Training Rural Women in Trade Skills will create pathways for local women to become a tradesperson. Participants will gain insight into construction and carpentry industries. |
Western NSW |
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Connecting Women to Trades – Fit for Change Civil Construction will attract young women to trades by offering a pre-apprenticeship program in civil construction. Participants will be inspired to pursue a career in this industry and gain a stronger understanding of career pathways. |
Western Sydney and Blue Mountains Region |
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Connecting Women to Trades - Try a Trade will support women to commence a career in the civil construction and engineering industries, including opportunities to pursue local employment. |
North Coast & Mid North Coast |
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Connecting Women to Trades - Tailored Training for Seaworthy Women will enhance workforce participation by making the maritime industry trades appealing and accessible. |
Illawarra & South East NSW The Bega Valley, NSW |
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Connecting Women to Trades - Licenced to Build will assist young women who have been in contact with the criminal justice system or are at risk of long-term unemployment. Participants will be introduced to construction-related trades and obtain skills for future employment. |
Southern & South Western Sydney Western Sydney and Blue Mountains |
Further information and resources
Training Services NSW may consider further grant rounds for the Connecting Women to Trades initiative. This will depend on outcomes achieved during the first grant round.