BUSY is dedicated to supporting women in non-traditional trade careers and wants to see more women entering the building and construction, diesel mechanics, engineering, agriculture, electrical and mining industries – and more!
While having an increasingly diverse organisation encourages equality, it also makes economic sense to see more diversification in industry-related roles.
This is backed by a Goldman Sachs report, which indicated that the rise in female labour force participation between 1974 and 2009 improved Australia’s economy by 22%. Closing male and female labour force participation rates could boost the Australian Gross Domestic Product (or GDP) by 11%.
We currently have less than 10% of females undertaking qualifications traditionally dominated by men. Consequently, there’s a lot we are doing to improve this percentage!
BUSY Sisters - Women in Trades
BUSY at Work’s BUSY Sisters program bridges the gap between businesses and skilled female apprentices in male-dominated trades. Our program offers mentorship and support to both apprentices and employers, fostering success and building diverse and thriving workforces.
The initiative provides a mentor for the first six months in your new role. Your mentor has already worked in a non-traditional trade and has the understanding, experience and knowledge to support you to succeed in career pathways usually undertaken by men.
The goal of having a go-to person to express any concerns or to ask for advice is to encourage women to chase their career dreams regardless of obstacles or difficulties.
BUSY Sisters offers:
Tailored Support: We design personalised support for both apprentices (women in trades!) and employers, meeting individual needs and business goals.
Connecting People: We bridge the gap by connecting qualified, passionate female
apprentices with employers who value their talent.
Ongoing Guidance & Support: Apprentices receive specialised support and mentorship, while we handle admin for both sides, allowing everyone to focus on success.
Building Networks: We facilitate connections within the trades community, fostering collaboration and growth for both apprentices and employers.
For Apprentices:
- Weekly check-ins with apprentices for the first 6 months.
- Two additional in-person apprentice visits at 9 and 12 months
- Quarterly local peer-to-peer events for apprentices – BUSY Sisters Socials.
- Qualified mentors in counselling or psychology with trade/industry backgrounds.
- Digital platforms for connecting apprentices, creating a network and community of support.
- Access specialised support designed to address any gender-specific challenges.
Employers:
- Employer education such as site visits, culture scans and education to employers on best practice.
- Take advantage of fresh ideas and innovative thinking for a dynamic and growing industry.
- Minimise administrative burdens and free up your time.
- Become an employer of choice by encouraging and supporting diversity in the workplace.
- Embrace the opportunity to make a real impact in your industry and advocate for women in trades.
Partnering with Industry Bodies
At BUSY, we partner with industry bodies and large employers, including:
- Hastings Deering,
- Motor Association,
- Australian Meat Industry Council,
- Master Plumbers Association,
- Master Electricians Association,
- Energy Skills Qld,
- BHP and many others.
These large industry employers are looking to improve the diversity in their business, and one way they achieve this is through hiring more women in their organisation.
We support these organisations by providing interested apprentices or trainees with the support required to complete qualifications and find ongoing career success.
As a young girl, Nadia was inspired to be a tradie by helping her dad in his shed. She is now completing a Diesel Fitting apprenticeship through Hastings Deering.
BUSY At Work – official partners of the Gold Coast Titans NRLW
BUSY At Work is proud to announce its newly forged partnership with the Gold Coast Titans NRLW. This exciting alliance seeks to promote women who are working in male-dominated industries, and to provide greater opportunities for girls and women in the community.
It has long been a passion of BUSY At Work to support and empower women through its education, employment, and training solutions. The introduction of BUSY Sisters—a program specifically dedicated to mentoring and assisting women working in trades—is a testament to the organisation’s ongoing commitment.
The relationship between BUSY At Work and Gold Coast Titans NRLW offers another opportunity to support women at a local level. The team at BUSY are humbled to be involved with such incredible female athletes who are inspiring others and reaching great heights. These impressive women are succeeding while working full-time jobs, raising families, and juggling their obligations to training and competition.
