Trade pathways for women

We’re working to get more women into trades and tackle skills shortages in male-dominated trade areas.

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Training Services NSW is working to get more women into trades. 

Why we need women in trades

The participation of women in male-dominated trades remains persistently low in Australia. Trades where women make up less than 25% of the workforce are known as non-traditional trades. In Australian industries with major skills shortages, such as construction, electrotechnology and automotive, women make 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 across the state. 

Trade careers offer women employment security in high demand and high pay industries.

How to attract women into trade careers

Working with the Behavioural Insights Unit in the Department of Customer Service, Training Services NSW has developed the following resources to support the attraction of women into trades:

  • Evidence-backed tips to prompt women of all ages to consider a career in non-traditional trades: Communications Guide – Evidence-based advice to help you communicate with girls and women about non-traditional trades
  • Behavioural interventions to help women start and stay in non-traditional trades: Life Phases: Women in Trades
  • Solutions for employers to attract women into non-traditional trades and support them to stay long-term: Employer’s Toolkit: Practical steps for attracting, recruiting, and retaining women in trades
  • Understanding the barriers preventing women engaging in trades and recommended interventions: Women in Trades Promising Practice Review.

Women in Trades Strategy 2021-2024

This strategy was developed 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.

You can download the Women in Trades Strategy 2021-2024 or contact us at WomeninTrades@det.nsw.edu.au.

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. 

Women in trades initiatives

Further information and resources

 

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