Listen and Learn: Insights from women entering historically male-dominated trades

Abstract

• This report offers insights from women who took their first steps into a career in a historically male-dominated trade as part of the Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC)Women Onsite project. • Recruiting more women into trade careers is vital to addressing Australia’s skills shortage and to improving the economic security of women. • Interviews with the women identified the factors that had attracted them to a trade career. These included working with one's hands, “learning by doing”, being outdoors and undertaking varied and interesting physical work. “Lifestyle” factors were a major pull factor, with women drawn to a more laidback and casual work environment. • Older women making a care..