The ACT Government is stepping up efforts to open the construction industry to a new generation of young women, with the 2025-26 Budget committing $1.4 million over four years to expand the Women in Construction – Try-a-Trade program across Canberra’s public schools.
The funding, which doubles the program’s reach to 10 schools from 2026-27, marks a clear move to address gender imbalance in the trades and strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers needed to deliver the Territory’s housing and infrastructure agenda.
Each year after the expansion, up to 2,000 Year 8 students will have the chance to study a construction-focused elective in school, while 220 students in Years 9 and 10 will complete structured work placements, gaining on-site experience that connects classroom learning to real-world careers.
“Female students in Canberra’s public schools will see a future for themselves in construction from day one of this program,” said Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry.
“Try-a-Trade provides the practical skills, mentorship and industry exposure to help make that happen.”
From Workshop to Workforce
The Try-a-Trade initiative was first launched as part of the ACT’s Women in Construction Strategy, a multi-year plan aimed at tackling the barriers women face entering the industry.
It offers early-stage engagement for students aged 13–16, giving them a taste of carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting, tiling, and other trade disciplines through both classroom learning and hands-on workshops.
In many schools, the sessions are run in partnership with CIT (Canberra Institute of Technology) and local employers who host short work experiences or industry days.
The expanded funding will now allow the Department of Education to extend these partnerships, providing access to state-of-the-art training facilities and a broader range of trade experiences.
The goal, according to the ACT Government, is not only to expose more young women to construction but to normalise it, to make trade pathways as visible and aspirational as academic ones.
“We’re breaking down outdated ideas about who belongs on-site,” said Minister for Skills, Training and Industrial Relations Michael Pettersson.
“By connecting students to real worksites and role models early, we’re helping them see construction as a place where they can thrive.”
A Smarter Way to Build a Workforce
The ACT Government’s decision to expand Try-a-Trade isn’t just about equity, it’s about economics.
With Canberra’s construction industry preparing to deliver 30,000 new homes by 2030, the local workforce needs to grow significantly.
As Treasurer Chris Steel noted, “With major infrastructure projects underway across the city, from housing to hospitals, we need a skilled local workforce to help build Canberra’s future. That starts in our schools.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, women currently make up just 12 per cent of Australia’s construction workforce, and less than 2 per cent of tradespeople. At the same time, the ACT continues to face shortages across multiple licensed trades, particularly carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and civil construction.
By targeting students in Years 8–10, the program aims to spark interest before subject and career choices are locked in, opening a pathway that can lead directly to apprenticeships and TAFE qualifications.
From Pilot to Policy
The Try-a-Trade program was first piloted across several Canberra schools, including Caroline Chisholm School, Melba Copland Secondary School, and Woden School, where students participated in short trade tasters delivered by CIT trainers.
The early results were promising. Surveys showed strong student engagement, particularly among girls who had never considered construction before.
Teachers reported improvements in confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving, skills that transfer well beyond the building site.
This success led to the Government’s decision to embed Try-a-Trade as part of the curriculum, offering a Year 8 elective subject that includes site visits, basic tool skills, and exposure to industry standards such as safety, sustainability, and teamwork.
The expansion to 10 schools will include both north and south Canberra regions, ensuring equitable access across the Territory.
Industry Support Growing
The initiative has been well received by the local building sector, which has long called for more targeted pathways for women and young people.
Master Builders ACT CEO Michael Hopkins said programs like Try-a-Trade are “essential to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve.”
“We know that when young people get to experience the satisfaction of building something tangible, it changes perceptions,” he said.
“For young women especially, it opens doors they may not have even known existed.”
Linking Schools, TAFE and Industry
At its core, Try-a-Trade is designed as a pipeline connecting education, training, and employment.
Participating schools will align their programs with CIT’s pre-apprenticeship offerings, giving students a clear pathway to pursue Certificate II and III qualifications once they finish Year 10.
The ACT Government has also signalled that the expansion will integrate with Skills Canberra’s workforce programs, ensuring participants have access to mentoring, career counselling, and links with local employers.
By connecting schools, TAFE, and industry, the Government hopes to create a joined-up ecosystem that helps more young women stay in the trade pipeline from classroom to construction site.
Why It Matters
Australia’s housing supply and infrastructure goals depend heavily on a skilled and diverse workforce. The ACT’s push to expand Try-a-Trade sits within a broader national movement from Queensland’s Women in Trades Grants to NSW’s Built for Women campaign, all aimed at addressing gender disparity in one of the country’s most critical sectors.
But beyond the statistics, there’s a cultural shift underway.
The building site of tomorrow will look different, more inclusive, more innovative, and more representative of the community it builds for.
“When young girls see someone like them on the tools, it sends a powerful message,” said Minister Berry.
“We’re not just teaching trades, we’re building confidence, leadership and opportunity.”
The Road Ahead
The Try-a-Trade expansion forms part of a wider education and workforce package announced in the 2025-26 ACT Budget, alongside investments in teacher training, TAFE facilities, and job-ready pathways.
The initiative will be evaluated annually to track outcomes such as student participation, apprenticeship uptake, and long-term employment rates.
The ACT Government has also indicated it will collaborate with private sector partners to offer industry placements and mentorships, helping connect students directly to real projects in housing and infrastructure.
“This isn’t a one-off pilot, it’s a sustained investment in the future of Canberra’s workforce,” said Minister Pettersson. “If we want more homes, hospitals and schools built by locals, we have to start building the workforce right here, right now.”
TGB Perspective
At The Good Builder, we’ve seen how early education and exposure can transform not just individual careers but entire communities.
Programs like Try-a-Trade don’t just create jobs, they change mindsets, inspiring confidence, capability, and collaboration across generations.
As the ACT positions itself for rapid growth, the message is clear: the path to a stronger, more sustainable construction industry begins in our classrooms.
0 Comments