Women good at everything

THE days of women being limited to jobs such as retail, hairdressing and nursing are well and truly over.

Today’s women are getting their hands dirty in the hurly burly sectors once dominated by men.

Areas such as engineering, construction and mining are no longer the sole domain of the blokes.

Recent data from the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training shows a 32 per cent rise in women starting engineering apprenticeships and a 19 per cent increase in automotive training this year across Queensland training providers.

Trades haven’t been hit as hard during the COVID-19 crisis and are considered a safe option by jobseekers.

Skill360 chief executive Paul Daly says in the past 10 years a lot of work has gone into luring young people into trades.

He says try-a-trade days, preapprenticeship programs and schoolbased apprenticeships, along with breaking the stereotypes for trade work, has sparked more interest from women.

Cairns engineering apprentice Sonia Fleischfreesser is one of the few in the male-dominated field.

She is currently on the second year of a certificate III in engineering, working as a fitter and turner for her dad at Cairns Springworks and Engineering.

It’s no easy ride either with her father, Brad, ensuring she is familiar with all aspects of the machinery and the various jobs in the workshop.

Women tend to bring more patience, understanding and finesse to trades.

The feminine touch is well appreciated and it shows that girls can do anything.

Well, almost.