General News
30 September, 2022
Female tradie win inspires others
CAIRNS’ only female refrigeration technician and winner of the 2022 Apprentice of the Year, Jennah Halley, has become the face of women in trades and is inspiring women across QLD to make their mark in male-dominated industries.
According to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), by 2021, there were over 79,000 apprentices and trainees in QLD, and only over 22,000 of them were women (28.9%). In some trade areas, women still represent 2 per cent or less of the national workforce.
Tradie, mum of four and advocate for women in male-dominated trades, Halley, is still shocked about her win at the 2022 Queensland Training Awards (QTA) but is convinced she wants to use her platform to inspire other women to “go for it”.
“It’s still very surreal; weirdly, I got recognised for doing something that I love doing,” Halley said.
“Hopefully, with this recognition, I can inspire more women to go and do it.
“My message is something I’ve said all along – just do it; if you hear no, go somewhere else, ask for work experience wherever possible and if you want to try something, get out and do it.
“I was 32 years old when I started my apprenticeship, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Halley’s interest in trades began when her brother, also a refrigeration technician, asked her to help for a few hours a week. She then completed a Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration with TAFE QLD.
She said being able to work in trades was not only something that she thoroughly enjoyed but also something that contributed to her life.
“I’ve had a desire to fix things my whole life,” Halley said.
“It’s about fixing things, helping people and not being helpless, not waiting around but making things work.
“The diversity and differences within our industry is something I really enjoy; it can be anything from programming a remote or it could be a breakdown at a supermarket.”
“It’s a massive rush, and the problem-solving is there all day, every day.”
Since 2018, the number of women in regional QLD enrolling in apprenticeships at TAFE QLD has increased by 60 per cent.
Halley said TAFE had played a key role in supporting her throughout her journey in trades.
“TAFE for me on a personal and professional training level has been nothing but support and encouragement throughout my apprenticeship,” she said.
“Even through the personal hiccups we were having within the workplace or training, they were amazing.
“It was my TAFE teacher who nominated me for this award, and not only did he nominate me, but he’s been to the regionals, for the state, and he will follow me all the way to nationals to cheer me on in the background.”
Although the number of women in trades has increased in the last years, Halley, the only female refrigeration technician in Cairns, said it was time to show the industry that women can and are up for the job.
“When I started my trade with my brother, it was all men, and it was just men doing what they do,” she said.
“They just needed somebody to show them that it was possible for women to be in the industry.
“And now I know that many employers are looking around and going - actually, women can do this too.”
In November, Halley will go on to compete for the national title of 2022 Apprentice of the Year at the Australian Training Awards (ATA). Although unsure of what will happen, she hopes to keep advocating for women in trades.
“I want to inspire and mentor anyone who needs it,” she said.
“Things are changing already; I notice more female apprentices registered at TAFE QLD.
“I think it’s all about seeing it and not even thinking of it as a possibility but a reality.”
The 2022 ATA will be held in Adelaide on Friday, November 18, where Halley will represent FNQ.
For a complete list of all QLD finalists, visit https://bit.ly/3LP82bF
