When picturing a tradie, stereotypes of khaki shorts, beer bellies and a plumber’s crack probably come to mind.
During World War 2, with men fleeing to the frontlines, it was typical to find women working in male-dominated careers like electricians, builders and painters.
However, when the war ended, women left their jobs as factory workers and farmhands, and returned to more traditional ‘women’s’ jobs – domestic duties, nursing – leaving men to dominate the trades.
Today, the gender imbalance in these male-dominated industries linger.
[infogram id=”52dab875-ff88-4760-9792-26b417b55c2c” prefix=”lYe” format=”interactive” title=”Technicians and Trade”] [infogram id=”e2afbcaa-69e1-43f4-90a4-c78dc1e8e7c5″ prefix=”6hC” format=”interactive” title=”Labourers”]According to data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), in the 2014-15 reporting period, men dominated the overall and full-time sector of labourers and technicians and trades industry.
[infogram id=”aed0037b-6f73-406d-b0a4-900173272311″ prefix=”VuT” format=”interactive” title=””]In all industries, women are working part-time three times the rate of men.
While women make up nearly half (48.8%) of the workforce, full-time women only comprise one in five employees (20.3%).
With only 6.3% of management positions being part-time, it’s apparent that men dominate fields such as CEO, senior and other management sectors as well as trades, with women favouring administrative and sales fields.
[infogram id=”6d8295d9-288c-4d22-9353-7b3072f07308″ prefix=”R4P” format=”interactive” title=””]Women’s representation in trades has been the subject of discussion in recent years, with a strong movement hoping to raise these numbers.
But why don’t women pursue trades careers?
Many girls grow up believing they can do anything – unless, of course, it’s a male dominated trade occupation.
Bella D’Amico, a building and construction apprentice, studied for her certificate 4 in advanced building and construction and said she was the only woman in the class.
“There is a severe lack of women in trades. Women can do just as much, or even more than men,” the 21-year-old says.
“Being the only female in my course was something. I felt as though I had to try a lot harder to prove myself.”
Indeed, a 2015 report by Quay Connection, commissioned by the NSW Skills Board, found that women make up less than 10 per cent of total applicants for traditional trade apprenticeships, while few employers consider taking on female apprentices.
There are many reasons for this, with the main one being the persistent stereotype that trades work is men’s work.
Low awareness among young women of career opportunities for women in trades, employer attitudes and workplace cultures also act as significant barriers.
Ms D’Amico says the stigma around female trades is wearing off.
“The attitude in the industry is definitely getting a lot better,” she said.
“Younger people nowadays are more open minded, it tends to be the older ones who have the issues.”
While the attitude in the industry may well be changing, Ms D’Amico says she has been subjected to casual sexism.
“Comments are thrown back and forth between the men I work with, and clients are usually quite surprised to see a girl on site. You get used to their reactions though,” she said.
The gender pay gap would be a further barrier for women in trades work.
In all workplace sectors, the gender pay gap is 24% for full time renumeration.
[infogram id=”23e01f1d-ac1f-4148-93f3-013b2348441b” prefix=”EVQ” format=”interactive” title=””]For trades and technicians, this percentage is slightly higher.
[infogram id=”2844434d-8cc5-4923-bb15-bd5d01d2a7a7″ prefix=”3Uj” format=”interactive” title=”pay gap”]Ms D’Amico says that while the gender pay gap is an issue, she doesn’t let it affect her love for her trade.
“I’ve never considered doing anything else. I’m a very practical person so I find it really rewarding finishing a job at the end of the day. I love it.”
Numerous government and non government strategies have sought to boost women’s representation and retention in trades.
