Meet TWA Scholarship recipients!
Women make up only 4-5% of skilled trade roles in traditionally male industries. The drop out rates for female apprentices is nearly 70%. Financial stress and isolation are a major contributer. TWA scholarships make a life changing difference
to a tradeswomen, and a lifetime of change to the trades industry. Here, three worthy recipients describe how their scholarships are helping them stay and thrive in the trades they love.
Charli
Straight out of high school, Charli took on whatever work she could find, from warehousing to landscaping. It didn’t take long for her to discover a passion for hands-on work and realise that a trade was the path for her. Charli began applying for jobs before finding the family business where she is now completing her HVAC apprenticeship.
Starting out came with its challenges, including building confidence in her abilities and rarely seeing other women when working alongside different companies. But despite those challenges, Charli says every day is rewarding. She’s already building valuable knowledge and skills across tools, air conditioning and heating systems, and she’s excited about where her trade can take her. The TWA scholarship will help Charli purchase the tools she needs, cover travel costs and, importantly, connect her with a mentor.
Bella
Bella’s journey is a fantastic example of determination, hard work, and never giving up on your goals. Starting out at just 13, Bella worked in a panel beating shop, fast food restaurants, and a mechanic shop, before being given the opportunity to secure a 2026 Plant Mechanic Apprenticeship with Komatsu.
Along the way, Bella has faced a range of financial and workplace challenges. But she kept showing, kept working hard and kept pushing forward. “Work harder when people aren’t looking.” That’s a lesson Bella has taken with her throughout her journey, and clearly, people were watching. Bella told us that receiving this scholarship has made her feel incredibly supported and will provide meaningful financial assistance as she continues her apprenticeship and builds her career in the trades.
Ally
At just 21, Ally, a TWA scholarship recipient, is already building a career she’s passionate about as a third-year Mobile Plant Technician apprentice.
Like many apprentices, Ally is balancing the realities of living on an apprentice wage with the everyday costs of fuel, vehicle registration and tooling, as well as family responsibilities. Despite these pressures, she has remained focused on completing her qualification and building her skills. Our scholarship is helping ease some of those financial pressures as well as providing mentorship support, allowing her to continue her apprenticeship and invest in her future as a qualified Mobile Plant Technician.
