Helping women find work in trades

TradeCareers connects women ready to work with trade employers.

Helping women find work in

trades

TradeCareers connects women ready to work with trade employers.

A group of women laughing together on scaffolding

Case Studies

Resources

Connections & Support

Trade Basics

What employers need on their team

One thing we heard over and over again from the trades employers in our focus groups was, “You can teach skills but you can’t teach attitude.”

4 min

What you can expect to earn with a career in the trades

This year, roofing, plumbing, electricians, civil engineering, and quantity surveying made moneyhub.co.nz’s Top 20 list of jobs to get into.†

FAQ’s for Working in the Trades

There’s a lot of information out there and it can seem a bit overwhelming if you’ve only just started exploring a career in the trades. We’ve saved you some time and googling by gathering some links for some of the things we think you might want to know at this stage.

Wāhine on the Tools

Episode 1: Theresa Wawatai, Apprentice Welder

Episode 2: Nicole Terry, Builder

Episode 3: Waipiata Hamilton, Loader Driver

Building Belonging

Paving the way for a more diverse trade industry.

Brought to you by TradeCareers, BCITO Te Pūkenga and Waihanga Ara Rau Workforce Development Council, Building Belonging dives into the barriers keeping women and minorities from entering the trades. Join hosts Genevieve Black and Chris Donnelly as they speak to industry leaders and changemakers to find out how we can create a worksite and sector that is better for everyone.

Listen now

Give it a red hot go

Trade Secrets

Join Kura as she talks to some trades trailblazers about why the trades are a brilliant career path.

Rock 'n' Knock

Don't have a dad, uncle or brother in the trades to get your foot in the door? We've got you covered. Rock 'n' Knock gives you everything you need to get your career rebooted into the Trades.

Suck it up, buttercup

What do you need to do to be a supportive boss? What does a safe and respectful workplace look like? In this episode, we have some of the brave conversations necessary to work together towards a better future for everyone.

Parenting, Pregnancy, and Periods

Let’s talk about dunny dignity and why it matters

“Just treat us the same as everyone else. Everyone is so busy, we are here to just get the job done. But please get a toilet for women on site!” – Holly

Maternity Leave

“Support women in pregnancy and parenthood and you will have one committed employee.”

Pregnancy and Parenting - Women

It can be exciting to discover that you’re pregnant. It might be a bit scary, too. Every woman’s experience is different. When the initial emotions subside, it’s time to think about practicalities.

How to get a job

What you need to get started in the Trades

Below is all the info you need to take the first steps into getting your career in the trades.

6 Tips for getting a job

“Don’t give up. Keep asking until someone says yes!” – Billie

Job Ads when hiring women

Let’s get it right for women on site

Guidelines

Keep it Decent Guidelines for Safe and Respectful Workplaces

A3 Poster Keep it Decent Guidelines for Safe and Respectful Workplaces

Podcast picks

On Site

Hosts Jay Reeve and Brooke 'Sparky Girl' Thompson talk to everyone from apprentices to industry leaders about life in the trades and how they'd like to see the sector evolve in the future.

Tradeswomen Talk

Tradeswomen Talk is a podcast inspired by the narrative of women and men of the building trades in America.

Hazard Girls

Host Emily Soloby (USA-based), founder of Juno Jones Safety Shoes, interviews women who have successfully broken barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields. These dynamic women share their stories and advice for the next generation.

Emily Soloby

Be Informed

National Association of Women in Construction

NAWIC encourages women to pursue, establish, and sustain successful careers in the construction industry.

Women in Trades

A nonprofit organisation promoting the trades as a viable career option to women and employers. Run by a committed group of people in and around the trades and trades services industries.

Careers.govt.nz

Improving career outcomes. Te whakapai ake i ngā hua ō ngā kōwhiringa ā-mahi. How to find a new job or choose a new career.

Skills.org.nz case studies

An amazing magazine showcasing women who have chosen an extraordinary career path in the trades.

BCITO – Women in Trades Workplace Stories

An inspiring and helpful collection of videos about women in construction.

Ultimit: Women in Infrastructure

An initiative from Connexis encouraging, inspiring and supporting women into trade and technical roles in the infrastructure industry.

Competenz / Te Pūkenga

An industry training organisation that helps people develop their skills on-the-job. The official training partner for 37 New Zealand industries including Engineering, Furniture Making, Forestry, Food and Beverage and more.

ShesFreeToBe

Helping to create a heavy industry workplace where women thrive by achieving better health, safety and well being outcomes.

Gender Bias Decoder

Get support to improve your job ads or website text to be more inclusive to women. This handy tool reveals hidden gender-specific words and offers alternatives to make your text more neutral.

Parental leave and employment law

Everything you need to know to support your staff members and your business.

Connect with the community

Women in Trades

BCITO Building Women Facebook Group

Connexis Ultimit Women in Infrastructure Facebook Group

New Zealand Builders Facebook Group

NAWIC Facebook Group

NAWIC Members Facebook Group