Women in male-dominated trades – awards and support initiatives

There are several awards that recognise the hard work of women completing apprenticeships in male-dominated trades. These awards provide great motivation and financial benefit for women apprentices.

Bunnings Trade – Women in Apprenticeships Awards

The Bunnings Trade Women in Apprenticeships Awards provides 10 passionate apprentices from across Australia with an attractive financial and professional kickstart. An apprentice can be nominated by themselves or by others. The awards recognise women who are passionate about their trade and aspire to stand out in their field.

Bunnings Trade - Women in Apprenticeships Award recipient
2024 Women in Apprenticeships Awards winner, Shanica, Carpenter, WA (Photo: Bunnings Trade)
Housing Industry Association – Western Australia Building Women Awards

The Housing Industry Association Building Women Awards celebrate the achievements and advancement of females in the building industry.

Young Achiever/Trailblazer

The Young Achiever/Trailblazer Category is one of the awards available. The award is open to young women working in any aspect of the building and construction industry, including apprentices and trainees. It recognises women under the age of 30 who show exceptional promise and dedication to the industry.

Housing Industry Association – Western Australia Building Women Awards
Women in Non-Traditional Trades (WiNTT) Scholarship – TAFE

TAFE colleges across Western Australia have implemented a Scholarship Program designed to improve women’s participation and equality in traditionally male dominated roles such as building and construction, science, technology, engineering and math.

The Scholarship provides $5,000 that can be used to cover training costs and other associated expenses.

Women in Non-Traditional Trades (WiNTT) Scholarship – TAFE

Other support initiatives and resources:

Are you considering a career in a traditionally male-dominated trade?  Look for the WORK180 logo!  This innovative platform is dedicated to providing women with the information they need to make informed career choices and find supportive employers.

Find out more

Women’s Sheds are fantastic places for you to dive into the world of trades and discover exciting career paths. These community spaces offer hands-on workshops in areas like woodworking, home maintenance, and other practical skills that are super useful in a variety of trades.

The Women’s Shed movement is dedicated to creating the inclusive spaces where everyone can learn and grow.  By participating in activities at the sheds, you can gain valuable experience and confidence in using tools and working on projects.  This can be a great stepping stone towards a career in trades, which are often seen as male-dominated fields.

Learn more

Have you heard about the SaLT Workshops and wondered what they are all about?  Are you a high school girl curious about the world of trades? The Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen (SaLT) workshops in Western Australia are here to open doors to exciting career opportunities!

Why SaLT? SaLT workshops are all about demonstrating that trades aren’t just for the boys. The workshops are a great opportunity to boost your confidence and skills in using tools and performing trade-related tasks. Imagine learning to measure, cut, and assemble materials like a pro!  Plus, you’ll get the lowdown on safety protocols and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE) properly.

Who should you attend? If you’re a high school student with a spark of curiosity about trades, these workshops are for you! They’re perfect for girls who want to explore non-traditional career paths and for educators and career advisors looking to support their students in new and exciting ways.

What will you gain? By attending a SaLT workshop, you’ll gain practical skills that are essential in various trades. But that’s not all! You’ll also build confidence and a sense of achievement as you realize that trades are a viable and rewarding career option. The supportive environment will help you see that you can succeed in any field you choose.

Special Guest: Apprenticeship Support Australia Joining SaLT at these workshops is Apprenticeship Support Australia. We’re there to have informal career chats with you, helping to take your interest in trades further. Whether you have questions about apprenticeships or want to explore your career options, we’re ready to guide you on your journey.

Learn more

Did you know?

Learning to use hand tools is super beneficial for girls. It builds confidence and gives you practical skills that are really handy (pun intended!) for various trades. Research shows that getting hands-on with tools makes you more likely to consider a career in trades. The thing is, boys often get more exposure to these tools when they’re young, which nudges them towards trade careers. By giving girls the same opportunities, we can level the playing field and encourage more women to dive into these rewarding fields. Plus, a diverse workforce is always a win!

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