The lack of representation of women undertaking apprenticeships or traineeships in the non-traditional trades, especially in the core trades of carpentry , automotive and electrical, which has remained less than 2% for over twenty-five years, has been described as a threat to the national economy.
Tradeswomen Australia is already working with a range of major companies and government departments to encourage a greater awareness of the contribution women can make to the trades within Australia, and the economy.
Barriers to increasing the number of women employed in the trades have been identified as:
1) Lack of information and engagement about trade with career advisors and secondary school girls
2) Poor workplace culture and social misconception make trades unattractive as a career path
3) No structure support systems for women working in male-dominated trade industries.
