VET IS HELPING JOBSEEKERS FIND SUCCESS IN NON-TRADITIONAL PLACES=
Women and men are casting aside gender stereotypes and forging careers in industries in which their true passions lie, with vocational education and training (VET) helping provide the pathways for them to get there.
While there are no real barriers to people working in an industry in which the majority of workers are of another gender, many industry workforces still have a gender imbalance.
There may be perceived barriers, such as assuming occupations require stereotypical gender traits like physical strength or a caring nature.
Other jobseekers succumb to the “what you can’t see you can’t be” phenomenon, as they are unsure how to secure work in the field or simply do not aspire for careers because they do not see people of their gender commonly working in them.
Jobs and Skills Australia data shows of the top 20 employing occupations that are experiencing skill shortages, 14 occupations have gender imbalances, with at least 80 per cent of people in the workforce either men or women.
For women, they are child care workers (97 per cent women employed), personal care assistants (86 per cent), primary school teachers (85 per cent) and hairdressers (84 per cent) occupations.
For men, they are carpenters (99 per cent men employed), metal fabricators (99 per cent), general motor mechanics (98 per cent), general fitters (98 per cent), general electricians (98 per cent), truck drivers (96 per cent), project builders (95 per cent), construction project managers (86 per cent), software engineers (84 per cent) and developer programmers (84 per cent).
All these occupations require vocational training to be qualified or have VET pathways.
SUPPORT FOR JOBSEEKERS TO BREAK TRADITION
Many industries are actively trying to overcome the gender imbalance, understanding that they can address workforce shortages if they can recruit from a wider range of people.
Scholarships, mentoring and incentives for employers who hire people of a non-majority gender are some of the initiatives that training providers and industry groups have established to encourage more people into their workforces.
In construction, for example, Brick and Block Careers has created the Aussie Female Brickies Facebook group, which provides a supportive community for women working in, or interested in, the bricklaying trade.
The closed/private group offers a safe space for people to share experiences and build friendships and contacts, as well as tips and advice from professionals on training, apprenticeships and job opportunities.
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Thriving Educators also has its Thriving Educators Aspiring Male Professionals association to support male educators, which includes resources and networking groups such as its Facebook group.
The Australian College of Nursing has launched an ebook as part of its Men in Nursing campaign, that also includes videos of men sharing their stories to encourage more to consider the profession.
Meanwhile, Apprentice Connect Provider MEGT provides its Women in Trades tailored support to women who want to enter any trade.
It includes free one-on-one support for its female apprentices from a MEGT mentor, who can offer advice and feedback, be a sounding board, and provide encouragement to stay motivated during training.
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However, the nature of vocational education and training also means jobseekers can try following their true passions and interests with a lesser study load, time and financial commitment than higher education.
For example, pre-apprenticeship courses, such as a six-month or one-year certificate II, enable jobseekers to try a trade and get the basic skills to get started, so they can experience the work environment first hand.
Fee-free TAFE commitments from governments enable people to enrol in courses without having to pay fees.
VET courses can also be studied while people are employed in the industry, enabling them to be paid for their work and learn the skills while testing their interest in the field.
LACHIE’S EXPERIENCE IN AN INDUSTRY WHERE THE MAJORITY OF WORKERS ARE WOMEN
Lachie Carey initially pursued a career in an industry where the majority of workers are men, starting an electrical apprenticeship after he left high school in Year 10.
He had enjoyed electrical work in science lessons and work experience at school, so it seemed like a natural choice.
But during the COVID pandemic, he lost his job twice.
He decided to help out at the preschool owned by his parents during the busy pre-Christmas period, which made him realise his true passion was giving young people a good start in life.
He already had done some sports coaching with children and enjoyed teaching them new skills.
So he decided to pursue the qualifications to work in an industry where just 8 per cent of employees are male.
“My passion is ensuring young kids get a go and young disadvantaged kids get a fair go and at the centre that I’m at, these kids come from all different backgrounds, different diversities, and to see that they’ve got that safe place here and how you can put a smile on their face and watch them grow as young people is such an amazing feeling,” he says.
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Lachie completed his Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care online while working full time, then went on to complete his Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
His vocational study has also provided the pathway to enrol in a Bachelor of Education (Early Years) degree to become an early childhood teacher, which he will also study online while working. It will lead to him being able to have higher level responsibilities and pay in his workplace.
The prior learning has also reduced the degree’s total study time from four years to two years.
Lachie is one of two male early childhood educators at his preschool.
He says at first, his role was questioned by some parents because of his gender, but once they got to know him, he has been welcomed as much as the female educators.
Positive male role models are important for children to have early in their lives, he says.
“For myself and the other male educator, we find that is something we don’t take lightly,” he says.
“We’re always making sure we’re putting our best foot forward to role model for these younger kids that there are positive male role models in this world, and we are them, and we want to demonstrate and role model our different traits and our different characteristics.”
ELLIE’S EXPERIENCE IN AN INDUSTRY WHERE THE MAJORITY OF WORKERS ARE MEN
Ellie Wotherspoon initially pursued a career in an industry where the majority of workers are women before finding her true calling in a non-traditional place.
She had started a teaching degree and took a six-month break, working as a nanny, when she decided to turn her career path on its head.
She is now working as an electrician in the energy industry, employed as a fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) worker.
As little as one in five FIFO workers are women, while only three per cent of electricians are female.
“I come from a family of electricians (her father, grandfather and brother are electricians) but I still didn’t really see myself becoming an electrician,” she says.
“I came from a small town and never saw a female electrician until I was 19 and nannying for one.
“I was looking after her kids during the day and I remember thinking, ‘If she can do it, maybe I can do it too.’.
“I pursued an introductory course to what’s involved working in industry and from there I’ve never looked back.”
The introductory course – a Certificate III in Process Manufacturing – cemented in her mind that being an electrician would be a great career.
“I’m grateful for that program, as without that, I highly doubt I would have pursued the electrical pathway,” she says.
READ MORE: Almira Dall’s story
She went on to complete the Certificate III Engineering (Industrial Electrician) and Certificate IV Instrumentation dual trade, a four-year apprenticeship.
Her on-the-job training at BHP’s Macedon gas plant included fly-in, fly-out work at its offshore site.
With the support from her employer, she was also able to finish her teaching degree.
Ellie encourages people to seek out mentors to help them get the confidence to find their voice in their industry or organisation as well as to work in unfamiliar settings.
Her advice to school students considering careers, as well as their parents and career advisors, is to “really consider all the options available”.
“Not just the traditional pathways that you might think you have to choose from – trade-based pathways are such an amazing opportunity for everyone,” she says.
“You’re very employable, you earn while you learn, it’s really great work, it’s hands-on, dynamic, it’s challenging – I love it.”
When following your heart to your chosen career, don’t forget to Explore All The Options
Cara Jenkin is a freelance journalist with more than 20 years’ experience working in the print, digital and television media. It included 10 years as the editor of NewsCorp’s Careers employment section, covering topics ranging from education and training to workplace career advice.