TAFE NSW is helping young women break down barriers and build futures through Girls Can Too – an initiative designed to boost female participation in construction and trades.
Delivered in partnership with the NSW Department of Education’s Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP), the program gives high school girls hands-on experience in traditionally male-dominated trades. From week-long sessions to six-week courses, students are introduced to construction, electrotechnology, plumbing, refrigeration, appliance servicing, carpentry and more.
Recent programs have been delivered at campuses in Leeton, Ulladulla, Griffith, Tamworth and Broken Hill, with more locations coming on board as interest and industry demand continue to grow.
Alongside practical skills, students tour job sites, connect with industry professionals and build job readiness – including interview preparation and workplace confidence – equipping them to explore career paths they may not have previously considered.
TAFE NSW electrotechnology teacher Pete Woodlands, who recently led the Leeton program, said the experience can be transformative.
“Giving young people the chance to try practical, hands-on tasks can spark an interest they may not have considered before,” said Woodlands. “Hearing directly from women in industry helps break down barriers and builds the self-belief needed to pursue a trade career.”
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Paul Goodwin, RIEP officer with the Department of Education, said Girls Can Too is part of a broader solution.
“Australia can’t deliver on its infrastructure, housing and net zero goals with only 50 per cent of the workforce,” said Goodwin. “We need to enable more women to be able to contribute to the big picture and gaining the rewards that come with those careers.”
TAFE NSW electrotechnology teacher Matthew Thomson, who taught a recent cohort in Ulladulla, agreed.
“Girls Can Too shows students they belong in these spaces,” said Thomson. “It’s not just about sampling trades, it’s about opening doors to exciting, skilled careers in sectors where demand for talent is growing rapidly.”
As construction and trade sectors look to the future, Girls Can Too is helping ensure the next generation is skilled, diverse and ready to build.