More action needed to protect female tradies from 'nasty sexism', experts say

Experts say further action needed to protect female apprentices from sexual harassment Mon 27 Jul 2026 at 7:16am In short: The number of Queensland women starting apprenticeships in some male-dominated trades has doubled since 2022. But trade qualification remains low, with some industries producing no female tradespeople in the past five years. What's next? Experts are calling for more action to attract and retain women in critical industries. Standing in a stainless-steel boning room, working through a bucket of slimy chicken carcasses, Kirsten Drinkwater wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The 19-year-old is following in the footsteps of her grandfather, who also worked in the local butcher in her regional Queensland hometown of Eidsvold, 400km north-west of Brisbane. "He really inspired me, he got me into it," she said. "He's very, very proud of me." A second-year butcher's apprentice, Ms Drinkwater is one of a growing number of Queensland women taking up the meat cleaver in this traditionally male-dominated role. In Queensland, 35 women started a butcher's apprenticeship last year, 10 more than in 2022. In fact, the number of female apprentice butchers in Queensland has more than tripled since 2020, according to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research, a non-profit that analyses vocational training statistics. It's a trend seen across other trades, including plumbers, electricians and "fridgies" — refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics. Conversely, numbers are dropping in traditionally female roles, with nearly 200 fewer women starting a hairdressing apprenticeship in the same time. Ms Drinkwater said changing cultural attitudes were behind the movement of women into majority-male trades. "I just think it's becoming more accessible for us," she said. "There's a lot less fear of being discriminated against … I can just feel it, something is happening and the world's just becoming a little bit more inclusive." Low completions Sarojni Choy is a researcher in adult vocational education at Griffith University, specialising in the challenges faced by female apprentices. Professor Choy said improved public messaging and increasing numbers of role models were drawing more women to the trades, but more support was needed to help female apprentices complete their qualifications. Of the 25 women who started a four-year butcher's apprenticeship in 2022, only 10 completed in 2025, while some sectors had produced no female tradespeople in recent years. "I think we are seeing a real, if modest, shift towards some of the non-traditional occupations for women," Professor Choy said. "The challenge now is to convert that interest into sustained participation and completion." The challenges faced by female apprentices can extend to serious sexual discrimination and harassment. Rae Cooper is director of the Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion at Work at the University of Sydney. She led a research project that found 25 per cent of women working in automotive trades had directly experienced sexual harassment at work. "Everyday sexism, or actually pretty nasty sexism, we find are an experience of lots of women apprentices," Professor Cooper said. In 2022, the federal parliament passed laws requiring employers to take proactive steps to end workplace sex discrimination and harassment. Professor Cooper said while these new laws had brought a positive change to many workplaces, "some aren't taking it seriously enough". A lack of support through pregnancy and child care is also forcing women out of the trades. "When you interview women tradies, they'll often talk about the advice they give to younger apprentices, which is, 'Try not to get pregnant during the period of your apprenticeship,'" Professor Cooper said. Broader funding needed Federal government programs are supporting and incentivising increased female workforce participation. Since early 2025, the federal government's Building Women's Careers Program has awarded $54.5 million towards driving cultural change that is more welcoming to women. However, the scope of the program is limited to construction, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital and technology industries. Professor Cooper said more needed to be done to attract women to a greater range of industries with national skills shortages. A spokesperson for the federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations said women accounted for most free TAFE enrolments, and that apprentices and their employers in priority industries may be eligible for additional grants and incentives. New attitudes in the next generation Professor Cooper said changing attitudes among younger workers were also driving cultural change. "I think that the next generation of people who are commencing apprenticeships, particularly the young women, is less likely to put up with some of the things that women of their mothers' generation might have put up with," she said. "And I think that's a good thing." Ms Drinkwater advised any girls seeking to follow in her footsteps to do their research when choosing an employer. "It can be difficult to find a workplace where you're accepted," she said. "But once you find the perfect spot, it's pretty easy to settle down and just get into it." [Image text:] Kirsten Paul BUTCHER