Tradeswomen Australia Group have commenced the Building Futures: Pathways to Trades, a special pilot program aimed at assisting women obtain access to well-paid employment in the trades careers. 

Fiona McDonald, Managing Director of Tradeswomen Australia said the Wyndham Pathways Project, welcomes women of all backgrounds, and has a particular focus on supporting indigenous women, women refugees, asylum-seekers with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and women with a disability.

The program commenced on the weekend at the Victoria University campus in Wyndham.

Ms McDonald said the Building Futures: Pathways to Trades, is being implemented by Katie Yates, the Tradeswomen Australia Community Foundation (TWACF) Community Project Manager.

The program is breaking new ground in employment gateways for women to support families in the wake of the pandemic and tough economic times.

“Getting more women into the trades area would see them taking home a weekly pay, earning up to $80 to $90 an hour, which would be life changing, as part of a growing need for skilled trades to rebuild Australia’s economy, Ms McDonald said.

Katie Yates, Tradeswomen Australia Community Foundation, Community Project Manager (front centre) with some of the group women who have joined the first Building Futures: Pathways to Trades Program at Victoria University last Saturday

 

“Participation of women as apprentices/trainees in the non-traditional trades, especially the core trades of construction, automotive and electrical, has remained at less than 2% and has changed little over the last 25 years.”

Tradeswomen Australia (TWA) and Tradeswomen Australia Community Foundation (TWACF) are preparing women to enter the trades with information, connections, support, and the power of social and economic inclusion. 

“By the end of the program, participants will have increased confidence to pursue a career within the trades industry and will have secured jobs or further training to begin carving their own pathway into their chosen trade,” Ms McDonald said.

The Tradeswomen Australia Group Wyndham Pathways Project is supported by the City of Wyndham, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund and Victoria University.

 

Media Enquiries:

Ron Smith, Media Communications, Tradeswomen Australia Community Foundation – Mobile: 0417 329 201