How Workwear Can Support Women in Industry

 

Increasing the number of women in traditional male employment areas has taken a long time and in trades such as carpentry and plumbing, the number of women employed has remained at 2% for 25 years. However, with increasing competition for employment now is enabling more women apprentices to enter the trades.

Fiona McDonald, the founder, and Managing Director of Tradeswomen Australia, a not for profit organisation, recently provided a detailed overview of the current employment opportunities for women and some of the issues they face.

What is the role of Tradeswomen Australia?

Our role is to champion women in trades that are predominantly male orientated.

We raise awaraeness of the different trades that exist, encourage women to participate, provide support, mentoring and networking opportunities.

We also work with industry bodies and individual businesses to help them understand the benefits of employing women in non-traditional roles.

Also, if a business does not have the resources, suitable female mentors or a diversity and inclusion officer can provide support.

How do we increase the participation of women in trades?

Firstly, we start by educating women on their career options early, during secondary school years. It is particularly important to showcase women in the industry and their successes.

Encourage a simpler process for female apprentices to find employment opportunities, and ensuring the workplace culture is a place of equal opportunity.

What are your top tips for business looking to attract women into trades positions?

Check your recruitment advertisement -does it encourage women to apply?

Review your careers page -what messages are shared about the business? Are there images with female trades being used across your company’s website? Do they show women as part of the workforce?

Ensure the person running the pre-selection and interview process is not gender-biased.

Ensure the interview is conducted in a suitable environment where women would feel comfortable.

What are your top tips for retaining women in their new trade roles?

Provide a mentor for a new female apprentice. If there is not a suitable candidate in your business contact an organisation like Tradeswomen Australia to organise one. Most often this will be a female mentor, but there are also some outstanding male mentors. The choice depends on the people involved.

Review the workplace culture? Do people hold the belief ‘A woman can’t do that’? Do you need to deploy an unconscious bias training program?

Review the working environment to ensure the new employee can feel safe, yet still feel a part of the team.

Review the uniform policy; does it include women’s workwear?

Being able to wear the equivalent uniform in women’s workwear to her male counterparts is important for looking and feeling a part of the team.

The experience women have entered the workforce is to a great extent impacted by the company’s policies and required standards of behaviours, much of which has been highlighted by changing community standards e.g. the removal of bullying, both by company policy and WorkSafe legislation.

Ensure you are looking at career progression for women, and continuing to attract more women.

What is one last piece of advice you have for a business looking to hire a female tradesperson?

Initially, it can be a little tricky to employ a female tradesperson, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial teething process. 

Do not be afraid to reach out to Tradeswomen Australia for advice and support, we are passionate about seeing women succeed.

Blackwood’s Safety customers can reach me directly at fionam@twaus.com.au.

What do female tradeswomen note as something they really appreciate?

Being accepted for the quality of the work they undertake, being accepted to work as part of the team and being respected as a person.