Women are underrepresented in most trades so the NSW government has commenced Women in Trades initiatives to address this. The key messages are:
- 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.
What are the advantages of a trade?
- You’ll be paid to study
- Work within a team
- Gain real & practical skills from day one
- Self employment.
Why choose 1300apprentice for your trade?
All of our host employers have been screened to make sure we place you with the best possible employer.
- Job security
- Job exposure
- We will link you with our networks
- Mentoring and support.
Read about some of our female tradies on our news page and how 1300apprentice have supported them and helped them become award winners!
“The NSW Government is strengthening pathways for women in trades, offering fee-free training and long-term development opportunities, which has contributed to a 59 per cent increase in the number of women commencing apprenticeships and traineeships in the two years to March 2022.” education.nsw.gov.au

Facts
Construction slowly builds diversity. The number of females with qualifications in Building Construction Management has doubled since 2016, to almost 2,000. However, only 1 per cent of Plumbers, Concreters, Roof Tilers, Bricklayers and Carpenters are female*.
Ten years ago**
- 676 female carpenters
- 931 female motor mechanics
- 638 female plumbers
- 1432 female electricians – Women represent a total of 1.3% of electricians
- With fewer than 2% of construction, automotive and electrical tradespeople in Australia being women
Women’s participation in trades and technical occupations has increased from 10 to 15 percent in NSW in the 25 years from 1987 to 2010**.
*ABS (2022) Census of Population and Housing 2021**ABS (2012) Census of Population and Housing 2011
***Women NSW Occasional Paper March 2013
A snapshot of those in training as at 3 May 2020
Almost half of female apprentices are aged between 20-25. For up to date information on this graph, head to TableAU

Contact us to find out how we can assist you in your chosen trade or reach out to one of these associations:
“Working through the GTO, I don’t really have that thought or worry of being a female apprentice…”
Jasmine Cliff, 3rd year electrical apprentice
Louise Azzopardi
@louiseazzopardi9275