In this episode of Current Conversations, powered by Master Electricians Australia, host Kate Raymond (CEO of MEA) is joined by Jordon Carlisle, Workplace Relations Manager, MEA, Penny Cornah (CEO of Master Plumbers Association of Queensland), and Tenille Riley (Women in Trades Manager with Busy at Work) to discuss female participation in the construction sector and trades in particular.

They examine successful strategies like ambassador programs and female-led mentoring and explore the importance of overcoming cultural challenges and biases. They also discuss the potential impact of targeted government policies and the power of social media in changing perceptions. The conversation highlights the need for realistic, sustained efforts and collaboration across industry bodies to achieve meaningful change.

Time-stamped Highlights:

00:00 Introduction to Current Conversations

00:13 Meet the Hosts and Guests: Penny and Tenille

00:34 Challenges and Solutions for Women in Trades

00:45 Penny's Insights on Plumbing Industry

01:48 Tenille's Approach to Attracting Young Girls

05:32 Gender Pay Gap and Industry Retention

08:03 Government Policies and Their Impact

09:23 Flexibility and Cultural Shifts in Trades

11:39 Addressing Bias and Barriers

17:39 Fact or Fiction: Hiring Female Apprentices

21:26 The Importance of Grit and Resilience

22:26 Shifting Employer Mindsets

22:48 Increasing Female Participation in Trades

26:20 The Role of Social Media in Engaging Youth

27:57 Addressing Workplace Challenges for Women

28:44 Encouraging Diversity and Inclusion

32:14 Promoting VET Pathways

35:43 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Produced by The Podcast Boss.