Course Aims To Lift Completion Rate Of Female Apprentices

One-on-one coaching program seeks to arm female apprentices with the tools necessary to overcome the challenges that life in a male-dominated space presents

Heavy commercial vehicle tradesperson-turned-life coach, mentor and industry ambassador Louise Azzopardi is offering a new coaching program that aims to tackle the high non-completion rate of female apprentices.

Azzopardi, who completed her apprenticeship with Cummins South Pacific before progressing to a trainer and assessor, says women make up less than two per cent of all tradespeople and of those women who do begin in a trade role, 74 per cent leave their apprenticeship, compared to 44 per cent of men.

She adds that for the 26 per cent of women who do complete their apprenticeship, the issues don’t stop there.

“A large number of women leave the industry after completion due to burnout, lack of confidence, anxiety and harassment,” she says.

“It is no secret that there are social issues that are a barrier which then leads to women having to overcome a large number of obstacles before they enter the trade and once they are in the trades.”

With a chronic skilled labour shortage, it is an acute issue that needs to be addressed, Louise believes.

“With not enough skilled workers we need to not only get women into trades but keep them there,” she says.

To help address the issue, Louise Azzopardi Training and Development Solutions has developed the ‘Tradeswomen Owning Their Power’ coaching program which allows women to have access to the tools they need to not only survive but thrive in the trades.

Louise cites the 2020 Productivity Commission National Agreement for Skills and Workforce Development Review which found targeted support services are effective at improving completion rates with some programs achieving as much as a 15 per cent improvement.

“A 15 per cent increase of retention of tradeswomen will have a massive impact on closing the skills gap,” she says.

Sponsorship packages for the ‘Tradeswomen Owning Their Power’ coaching program are available for $3,000 per tradeswomen/person and include six months of one-on-one coaching (13 sessions).

In return, Louise says participants will come out armed with the tools to overcome the challenges that life in a male-dominated space presents.

For more information, contact louise@louiseazzopardi.com.