Tradie ladies rise: Government push and local champions like Alana Bathgate drive more women into the trades

HAWKESBURY GAZETTE | WOMEN IN TRADES FEATURE

A major federal and state government initiative is making waves in the Hawkesbury and beyond, offering free apprenticeship training in trades and placing a strong emphasis on more women taking part in traditionally male-dominated industries like construction, engineering, and manufacturing.

The Fee-Free TAFE Skills Agreement, backed by over $1.5 billion, is set to deliver 500,000 fee-free TAFE and vocational training places across Australia through to 2026. NSW is leading the charge with targeted programs including Built for Women, which has made 3000 free training positions available for women aged 16–24, jobseekers, and those receiving government benefits.

This renewed push is about more than just filling skills shortages. It’s also about shifting the culture — and here in the Hawkesbury, Alana Bathgate of Bowen Mountain is living proof that change is already underway.

From Page One to the Worksite

In 2019 aged 18, Alana was featured on the front page of the Hawkesbury Gazette as one of the region’s trailblazing first-year female apprentice carpenters. At the time, she was just beginning her journey in a profession still heavily dominated by men.

Fast forward to 2025, and Alana has now completed her apprenticeship and is a fully qualified carpenter, proudly working in the industry she loves. She’s also a strong advocate for the Tradie Ladies program, which supports women entering trades with mentoring, training, and career guidance.

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved,” Alana says. “I want young women to know there’s a place for them on site. It’s challenging, rewarding, and empowering. Tradie Ladies is making that more accessible for the next generation.”

Tradie Ladies and other opportunities

Programs like Tradie Ladies, available in regions including the Hunter, Newcastle, and parts of western Sydney, provide fully subsidised, nationally recognised training, mentorship from industry leaders, and work placements that build confidence and skills.

Closer to the Central West, Connecting Women to Trades by Skillset offers similar support, working with women of all ages to explore careers in trades and gain apprenticeships through job-matching and industry links.

These initiatives are reinforced by federal commitments through the Australian Skills Guarantee, which sets targets for female apprentices on government-funded construction projects — starting at 6% in 2024, with the aim of hitting 10–12% by 2030.

Additionally, new incentive payments of $10,000 are now available to apprentices working in priority housing construction trades, with employers eligible for up to $5000 in hiring incentives.

Why it matters for the Hawkesbury

With construction booming and a critical shortage of skilled labour, particularly across Western Sydney and the Hawkesbury, these programs are not just timely — they’re essential.

Alana Bathgate’s success story demonstrates what’s possible when opportunity meets support. “More women are coming through,” she says. “You see them on site now, and they’re earning respect through skill and hard work. It’s changing for the better.”