Top-notch tradies on a mission to inspire

FRESH from taking home individual honours at the Master Builders Victoria Apprentice of the Year Awards earlier this year, two Bendigo TAFE alumni are proving that women not only belong on the tools – they can lead the way.

Alexandra Thwaites, winner of the Developing Leader Award and Kirra Tranter, who was recognised with the AIB Florence M. Taylor Award, are helping to challenge outdated perceptions and encourage more women to consider apprenticeships and vocational training.

While construction is Victoria’s second-highest growth industry, with more than 162,000 new workers needed by 2034 to deliver the government’s housing and infrastructure agenda, it remains one of the least gender-diverse industries in Australia.

Women make up just 14 per cent of the civil construction workforce and only two per cent of onsite roles, percentages that have barely shifted in the past decade.

Ms Thwaites said learning carpentry has not only given her the practical skills to understand how homes are built, but has also taught her discipline, problem-solving skills and more.

She advised other tradie-hopefuls to explore which trades align with their interests, and target employers offering diverse learning opportunities.

“Have a real think about what you want to gain, what skills you want to learn and what you can honestly see yourself doing,” she said.

“There’s no use jumping into something unless you genuinely think you’ll enjoy it.”

Ms Tranter said among the many skills she’s picked up while working towards her Certificate IV in Building and Construction, external cladding remains her favourite.

“It’s when a building really starts to take shape – it’s exciting to see the transformation.”

She’s now eyeing a future in supervision or project management and eventually hopes to run her own business and mentor the next generation of apprentices.

To find out about Trade and Industrial Construction courses, visit the Bendigo TAFE website.