TAFE and industry unite to transform trades for women

Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute are joining forces with industry to transform the experience of women in trades – empowering more women to enter and thrive in the sector.

Through three bold new projects, both TAFEs are collaborating with industry partners to reshape training and employment pathways in male-dominated fields like construction, engineering and clean energy.

These initiatives include:

-       Breaking Barriers: Women in Trades and Tech

-       Transforming Gender Equity in Clean Energy Apprenticeships

-       Driving Gender Equity: Strengthening GTOs to Build Women's Careers

Backed by the Australian Government’s Building Women’s Careers program, the projects aim to dismantle systemic barriers and create meaningful, long-term opportunities for women in industries critical to Australia’s future.

Why it matters

Construction remains one of the least gender diverse industries in Australia, with women comprising just 14% of workers in civil construction and 2% for onsite roles – figures that have remained stagnant for a decade.

For Kangan Institute electrotechnology apprentices Casey Lupson and Hannah Wasylkowski, a career in the trades once felt out of reach due to persistent stereotypes about women’s place in the industry.

Casey, 26, began her career in an office before realising she “didn’t want to sit behind a desk all day”.

“I started my apprenticeship later than people normally would – I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it as well because I’m a female. But I took the jump and got into it,” she said.

Today, she works on commercial projects designing and installing data cabling and says “I love the hands-on work.”

Often one of the few women at worksites, Casey believes visibility is key to inspiring others.

“There’s no one for young females to look up to. If there were more female tradies, younger women will be more likely to give it a go,” she said.

Hannah, 24, also transitioned into trades after first studying construction management at university.

“Initially I didn’t think it was a good idea as a female, but I decided I really wanted to be hands-on instead of in the office,” she said.

Now specialising in electrical systems for lifts and escalators, Hannah believes more needs to be done to promote these sectors as viable and rewarding career paths for women.

“The site I’m on at the moment has around 250 people onsite – only about five of them are women,” she said.

“It needs to be marketed more as a job that females can be really good at – it’s not just heavy lifting, it’s a lot of critical thinking and problem solving. It’s challenging in a good way.”

Electrical teacher Belinda McLean, who has eight years of experience as a solar power engineer, now teaches secondary school and pre-apprenticeship students at Bendigo TAFE.

“I’ve always been interested in sustainable energy – making things better for the environment and people. And I love teaching about renewables and electricals,” she said.

(Electrical teacher Belinda McLean)

Belinda emphasises the need for structural and cultural change to improve access for women.

“There are challenges in terms of flexibility in child caring, especially if they are primary caregivers. There’s a multitude of many little barriers that can build up to ‘it’s too hard’,” she said.

“We need to ensure equality in access – whether someone wants to be a tradie, a site manager, or a project lead.”

The projects driving change

·         Breaking Barriers: Women in Trades and Tech

In partnership with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute will lead the delivery of four pre-employment training programs for women seeking careers in engineering and construction. Each four-week program offers foundational trade skills and insights into career pathways in fabrication and mechanical engineering.

In collaboration with Women’s Health Services, Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute will conduct a gender lens assessment of its current programs to ensure they are inclusive and responsive for female learners. Participants will benefit from experienced instructors, high-quality facilities, and dedicated support through the TAFEs’ Skills and Jobs Centres.

·         Transforming Gender Equity in Clean Energy Apprenticeships

Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute are partnering with Future Energy Skills on a Victoria and Tasmania-wide project to advance women’s participation in clean energy apprenticeships. This includes participating in focus groups, piloting flexible delivery models for the Certificate III in Electrotechnology (including solar and battery electives) and helping to recruit and support at least 12 new female apprentices.

Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute will leverage expertise in clean energy training, with development of new courses focused on photovoltaic (PV) solar, battery systems and home electrification underway. These initiatives will help address critical skill shortages while enabling women to contribute meaningfully to Australia’s clean energy transition.

·         Driving Gender Equity: Strengthening GTOs to Build Women's Careers

In collaboration with the National Apprenticeship Employment Network (NAEN), Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute will develop leadership and capacity-building programs for Group Training Organisation (GTO) leaders and field officers. These programs will focus on unconscious bias, workplace safety and inclusive leadership, helping to foster supportive environments for women in trades like civil construction, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

A new era for women in trades

These projects contribute to Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute’s longstanding commitment to advancing gender equality through education, workplace change, leadership development and advocacy – building a future where women in trades are the norm, not the exception.

Recent initiatives have included launching a female and gender-diverse construction course in Castlemaine and working with SheForce to develop and deliver dedicated female-only construction starter programs. The TAFEs are also an Alliance member of Empowered Women in Trades, aligning with likeminded organisations to increase gender diversity and inclusion across trades industries.  

To learn more about the Building Women’s Careers Program and the full scope of projects, visit here.

Quote attributable to Bendigo Kangan Institute Chief Executive Officer Sally Curtain:

“Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute are proud to partner with industry on groundbreaking projects that open up inclusive, flexible training for women.

"We’re backing the Australian Government’s Building Women’s Careers initiative – delivering real skills and driving cultural change across key industries.

"A future-ready workforce is inclusive and diverse – we’re helping make it happen."