Women in Trades

Tahlia Williams was 28, a single-mother to a four-year-old daughter and hating her job. After spending more than a decade in hospitality, she said it had begun to feel fake and Tahlia knew it wasn’t something she wanted to do anymore.

So, taking a punt, she decided to picked up the phone and ask for her dream job.

“I was in hospitality for 14 years. My Stepdad was a chef and my Mum was a restaurant manager and so I just figured hospitality was going to be my path in life, but it was not what I loved,” said Tahlia.

“I love painting! I'm a creative, I couldn't do the coffee thing forever and that's why, at 28, I decided to go out a be a painter.”

Tahlia was turned down five times before a local painter gave her a chance and took her on as a labourer. But this year, she was picked up by Robbo’s Painting and Decorating and officially started her apprenticeship.

“I'm two years in now, but the first few months were hard because I had never been on a jobsite before. I didn't even know how to use a gap gun or anything,” said Tahlia.

“And being the only girl on the jobsite all the time has its challenges, I guess because it is such a rare thing it is not something other tradies see every day — a girl walking onto the jobsite.”

But that is something Tahlia is keen to see change.

“I want to see more women in trades,” says Tahlia Williams. “I'd really like to encourage other girls to take on a trade and not just think they have to go to uni or get a traineeship. If you think you can do it, just give it a go and don't take no for an answer!”

Tradework is still overwhelmingly a male dominated industry, but Tahlia believes a trade could be a great career option for many women.

Unlike a degree, you get paid while you train, the hours are much better than hospitality (free weekends!) and you get skills that will give you a job for life.

“Why not jump into a trade; at the end of four years you can even start your own business and earn good money and no HECS debt!” said Tahlia.

“And not just girls, I’d encourage anybody into trade really, especially out here in the country; trades are just so sought after. The only reason it is a male dominated industry is because girls are in it yet! But the more girls that jump into it now, the more that will into the future!”

Tahlia set up an Instagram account — @tahls¬_the_painter — to document her career change. Her story caught the attention of the UK-based Women in Trades magazine, who are featuring her in an upcoming issue.

“I put a post up, which featured me and my daughter and it pretty much explained why I got into the trade. They said they were really inspired by my story about being older when I decided to change careers and they wanted to feature me in their magazine,” said Tahlia, who figured she should also try encourage future tradeswomen a little closer to home.

“Especially now that it is the end of the year and kids are graduating high school… if it is something that you are passionate about and you really want to give it a go, just do it! If I can do it, you can too.”

Photo are by Clayton Rose Photography