Where to start...
If you're thinking of becoming a Lady Tradie, but not quite sure what trade's for you or where to start, the information below may help you. Questions and answers about yourself and the trade/s you're considering can help you fine tune the trade that may suit you.
I get numerous people say to me: I'll do anything, I just want to be a Lady Tradie. I'm sorry to tell you, that's the wrong answer and future employers are going to see straight through that.For example: there's no point saying you'll being a roofer if you're terrified of heights or don't like working outside. Painting may be for you if you love colour? Landscaping may be great if you have a genuine interest in plants, gardens and working outdoors. Remember; not all trades are dirty, involve heavy lifting, or work outside.
What else should I do? Once you narrow things down, I highly recommend trying to get some work experience, or at least asking a Tradie in the industry you're considering, if you can tag along & watch what happens for a few days. Lady Tradies (and many Male Tradies) are very keen to help and encourage others to get into the industry, and are very cooperative! So, depending on where you're located, we may be able to assist with this. They also understand the importance of choosing the 'right' trade.
If you can't organise it through school, (or have already left) be brave and go and approach local companies, ask them for some advice on what steps to take to get into their trade, what's it's like day in/day out, what sort of jobs you'll be working on etc.
Here's an example of why: I recently had a girl contact me to say she desperately wanted to be a plumber or electrician and asked if I could I help her get an apprenticeship. She'd done no real 'personal inventory' or work experience in either trade, so I tee'd her up some work experience with a bunch of great Lady Tradie Plumbers to do exactly that. Within the 1st week she quickly decided plumbing was NOT for her! Work experience is invaluable and her questions were all asked, seen and solved within that week.
Had she not done this, she may have jumped head first into the wrong apprenticeship, hated it or even quit thinking she failed. No...she wouldn't have failed, she just didn't do her homework and picked the wrong trade for her.
Not doing your homework can be a costly waste of time and money, not just for you, but also your employer and your RTO.
Our Tip: Take your time, do the research, and really suss things out. You often don't buy the first car you test drive, or the first house you see etc. At the very least you could confirm your thoughts and still go ahead with your trade of choice OR, you may discover a whole new trade you hadn't even thought of.
What else: Before applying: ensure you are 'job ready' and have more than than just an idea you want this. Employers want to see your full commitment to it, as they're investing alot of time and money when hiring an apprentice. It's a 3-4 year labour intensive and financial commitment on their part, so they need to be sure you're the right person for the job.
Aside from looking great of your resume, these extra skills and knowledge could make the difference if you're lucky enough to get an interview. You may be just 1 step ahead of some of the others applying and that can only be a good thing.
I really encourage you to do the Personal and Trade inventory exercise in the document below. You don't have to do it all at once, but by doing so, it may open your eyes to skills you forgot you had, requirements of various trades, and potentially make you think of or rethink a trade you had or hadn't considered. Good Luck! :)
You can click the file link below, download or print the document to use whenever you like.
If you're thinking of becoming a Lady Tradie, but not quite sure what trade's for you or where to start, the information below may help you. Questions and answers about yourself and the trade/s you're considering can help you fine tune the trade that may suit you.
I get numerous people say to me: I'll do anything, I just want to be a Lady Tradie. I'm sorry to tell you, that's the wrong answer and future employers are going to see straight through that.For example: there's no point saying you'll being a roofer if you're terrified of heights or don't like working outside. Painting may be for you if you love colour? Landscaping may be great if you have a genuine interest in plants, gardens and working outdoors. Remember; not all trades are dirty, involve heavy lifting, or work outside.
What else should I do? Once you narrow things down, I highly recommend trying to get some work experience, or at least asking a Tradie in the industry you're considering, if you can tag along & watch what happens for a few days. Lady Tradies (and many Male Tradies) are very keen to help and encourage others to get into the industry, and are very cooperative! So, depending on where you're located, we may be able to assist with this. They also understand the importance of choosing the 'right' trade.
If you can't organise it through school, (or have already left) be brave and go and approach local companies, ask them for some advice on what steps to take to get into their trade, what's it's like day in/day out, what sort of jobs you'll be working on etc.
Here's an example of why: I recently had a girl contact me to say she desperately wanted to be a plumber or electrician and asked if I could I help her get an apprenticeship. She'd done no real 'personal inventory' or work experience in either trade, so I tee'd her up some work experience with a bunch of great Lady Tradie Plumbers to do exactly that. Within the 1st week she quickly decided plumbing was NOT for her! Work experience is invaluable and her questions were all asked, seen and solved within that week.
Had she not done this, she may have jumped head first into the wrong apprenticeship, hated it or even quit thinking she failed. No...she wouldn't have failed, she just didn't do her homework and picked the wrong trade for her.
Not doing your homework can be a costly waste of time and money, not just for you, but also your employer and your RTO.
Our Tip: Take your time, do the research, and really suss things out. You often don't buy the first car you test drive, or the first house you see etc. At the very least you could confirm your thoughts and still go ahead with your trade of choice OR, you may discover a whole new trade you hadn't even thought of.
What else: Before applying: ensure you are 'job ready' and have more than than just an idea you want this. Employers want to see your full commitment to it, as they're investing alot of time and money when hiring an apprentice. It's a 3-4 year labour intensive and financial commitment on their part, so they need to be sure you're the right person for the job.
- Get your White Card, - you can do this before you start and by doing so shows employers you're proactive.
- Get your First Aid Certificate - always handy in general life, but also great to have if you're going into a trade where accidents can occur. No one may ask you to be the first aid officer, but again, it gives you a better awareness of risk and more knowledge.
- Work towards any other tickets and qualifications you may need that you can do now, such as: drivers licence (very necessary), a forklift ticket if it could be needed, working at heights, working in confined spaces and more.
- Consider getting some basic work gear. Long Cargo's, a High Vis Shirt and some decent comfy Work Boots is a good start.
Aside from looking great of your resume, these extra skills and knowledge could make the difference if you're lucky enough to get an interview. You may be just 1 step ahead of some of the others applying and that can only be a good thing.
I really encourage you to do the Personal and Trade inventory exercise in the document below. You don't have to do it all at once, but by doing so, it may open your eyes to skills you forgot you had, requirements of various trades, and potentially make you think of or rethink a trade you had or hadn't considered. Good Luck! :)
You can click the file link below, download or print the document to use whenever you like.
| help_with_deciding_on_a_trade.pdf |