Where are the women tradies? Boosting representation can help fill the industry’s 90,000 shortfall

Australia is facing a critical workforce shortage with BuildSkills Australia highlighting the need for an additional 90,000 tradespeople in the next three months alone to meet the nation’s housing goals. This stark figure not only signals a critical shortage in skilled labour, but also highlights an opportunity to address gender disparities within the trades industry. 

Currently, female representation in skilled trades stands at a mere 3%, meaning there is a vast reservoir of talent and capability that remains untapped. Traditionally male-dominated industries have overlooked a vast talent pool of capable women, contributing to the workforce shortage. To remedy this, we must make a conscious effort to increase female representation in trades to 30% by 2030. By actively engaging and empowering women to pursue careers in trades, we can tap into this underutilised resource to strengthen and diversify our workforce.

Tackling barriers

Historically, cultural norms and policy constraints have served as formidable barriers, preventing women from considering careers in trades. Addressing these barriers requires a concerted effort involving targeted initiatives and policy reforms aimed at creating a more inclusive environment.

We need to ensure that all Australians, regardless of gender, have equal opportunities to thrive in the trades industry. By breaking down barriers and providing support for women to enter traditionally male-dominated industries, we can not only bridge the workforce gap, but also pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future. 

An effective approach is designing immersive talent attraction programs designed to empower women to explore trades without fear or prejudice. We need to be creating events that provide a welcoming space for women to experience trades, encouraging them to see trades as a viable and rewarding career path. By actively dismantling cultural and policy barriers, we can pave the way for greater female participation and contribute to a more diverse and resilient workforce.

Promoting inclusivity for economic prosperity

Embracing inclusivity and providing support for women in trades is not just about addressing the immediate workforce shortage; it’s also about tackling broader societal issues like the national housing crisis. By increasing female representation in trades, we can create a more diverse and resilient workforce that is better equipped to meet the demands of our growing economy.

Government funding plays a crucial role in supporting women to enter trades, ensuring they have access to necessary training, resources and support systems. Investing in women’s participation in trades not only empowers individuals with economic opportunities but also contributes to the overall prosperity and resilience of our nation. It’s an investment in our future workforce and the long-term sustainability of our economy.

Advocating for action: The time is now

As we confront the pressing workforce shortage highlighted by BuildSkills Australia, it’s clear that urgent action is required to increase female representation in trades. Australia needs to implement immediate, actionable steps such as inclusive training programs, supportive workplace environments, and industry-wide culture shifts to promote gender diversity. By dismantling barriers, advocating for change and fostering collaboration, we can create pathways for women to enter and thrive in these traditionally male-dominated fields, strengthening our workforce and driving economic prosperity for all.

This is a call to action for the government, industry leaders and all stakeholders to support the work of organisations like Empowered Women In Trades (EWIT), so we can scale our initiatives and effectively address the systemic barriers that have historically limited women’s participation in trades. Last year, EWIT introduced 5,000 women to the industry. This year, we must aim higher and work together to raise this number to 50,000. This ambitious goal will not only address the housing crisis but also make strides towards our target of 30% female representation in skilled trades by 2030. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and take action to resolve this issue once and for all.

Hacia Atherton is the CEO and founder of Empowered Women In Trades.