Record-breaking boost in female apprentices could signify shift in construction industry

Queensland women are signing up for apprenticeships in the construction industry significantly faster than other states, with new tradies in-training more than doubling since 2010.

She grew up on worksites with her dad, is in her fourth year of her carpentry apprenticeship. But because she is a woman, Jess Carstens says she still has to prove herself every time she sets foot onto a site.

But this could be changing with more Queensland women starting in the construction industry than ever before, with a state record 1048 women currently in training.

Female apprentice numbers in the Sunshine State have more than doubled since 2010, jumping from 1.5 per cent to over 4 per cent, higher than the national average of 3 per cent, according to the latest National Centre for Vocational Education Research.

Jess Carstens is currently an apprentice carpenter. Picture: Annette Dew

When Ms Carstens, 32, left school she knocked on doors, applied for roles and tried everything to get her foot in the door for a carpentry apprenticeship, but it was to no avail.

She worked as a ringer on a cattle station until 2019 when she started her cert III in the trade.

“The job site I am on now I am the only female out of maybe 50 contractors, every job site is different but the biggest thing is every time I walk onto a job site I have to prove myself straight away,” she said.

“I enjoy that, I get the challenge and a bit of giggle out of it, but sometimes it would be nice to just be left like, ‘oh she is just one of the workers,’ you know?”

Ms Carstens’ dream is to be the foreman of a site and to be able to hire her own female apprentices.

“There is that much change now, a lot more employers are wanting females and realising women take more care and analyse the job, so it’s starting to grow so definitely have a go.”

Construction Skills Queensland CEO Brett Schimming said the rise in female recruits to the industry is encouraging, but while there is 15 per cent in the industry there are only 5 per cent on the tools.

Jess Carstens is encouraging more women to give a trade a go. Picture: Annette Dew

“The representation of women in the construction industry has been on the increase for the last decade, albeit at a very slow pace,” Mr Schimming said.

“We hear so many positive stories about the excellent work ethic and attention to detail from female apprentices; they tend to get snapped up by employers and quickly rise through the ranks.”

Deputy CEO at Master Builders Queensland Paul Bidwell said the ongoing change is very positive for the industry.

“Historically and even right now the building industry is very blokey, but in recent years there is an increasing number of women entering the industry,” he said.

“We’re not immune from the needs of diversity and it adds value no doubt, culturally and ultimately adds to the viability of the business.”