More women completing apprenticeships traditionally dominated by men, figures show

More women are completing apprenticeships in areas traditionally dominated by men, figures show. See the fields where women are on the rise.

Women are making large inroads into apprenticeship areas traditionally considered the male domain, government figures show.

The state government has released figures showing apprenticeships completed since 2012, and women have recorded increases in dozens of fields.

The top twenty increases in female representation published today by The Advertiser include some of the toughest and dirtiest jobs.

Ranked 19th for the biggest increase in women completing was for mine workers, increasing by 7.14 per cent and female butchers increased their representation by 6.25 per cent, ranking 20th.

Women also increased by more than 10 per cent their representation in management, engineering, automotive courses and many outdoors trades.

MTA spokesman Paul Unerkov said the skills shortage was a major driver of uptake for the industry.

He said the MTA was trying to fill 80 apprentice positions, and physical attributes mattered, not gender.

“The automotive industry is evolving and this has seen more females begin a career in the industry,’’ he said.

“The MTA currently has 80 apprenticeship positions available for an immediate start.

“What we look for in an apprentice is a positive attitude, love of the automotive industry and hands skills, not gender.”

One MTA apprentice is Holley Burn, 18, who works at Brian Rooney Auto Service in Somerton Park, which specialises in European vehicles.

Ms Burn said she expected the field would be male dominated when she started and is the only female in her class.

“I know women do it now but I always knew it would be male dominated,’’ she said.

“Especially in the area of mechanics, not other automotive areas. I quite enjoy working with my hands, and I’m a kinaesthetic learner, a physical problem-solver, so I find cars relaxing and rewarding.”

Holley Burn is studying a school based apprenticeship, working at Brian Rooney Auto Service, an automotive workshop in Somerton Park which specialises in European vehicles. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Though registering smaller increases of less than 10 per cent, women are also taking up traditional male roles of; telecommunications installing, firefighter and emergency operator, electrician, heavy commercial vehicle technician, bread baker and pastry cook, light vehicle mechanical technician, plumbing and gasfitter, meat processor, airconditioning and refrigeration tradesperson, engineering tradesperson, carpentry, and engineering tradesperson.

But the trend is not reflected in men taking up traditional apprenticeships filled by women, except the increase in “manscaping” prompting more to become hairdressers.

Male travel consultants are also on the increase.