FAQ

  • We are a registered Not-For-Profit organisation run by women who want to help more women become tradies. We do this by working with training organisations, unions, industry bodies, employers and governments to encourage, mentor and provide networks for females to start, develop and thrive in their chosen trade

  • We help any female (or female identifying person) with working in a trade in the Building and construction industry. We provide support, contacts, job opportunities, connections and advice for women seeking apprenticeships or trade employment, as well as companies who are looking to employ females.

    We also have an extensive network of qualified tradeswomen who help us mentor women new to the industry, promote cultural change and provide networking opportunities.

  • If you are a person wanting to start a trade, you have come to the right place! We can provide information, advice, job contacts, training contacts and access to our qualified trade ambassadors who can talk you through what a trade career looks like.

    If you are an employer, we can find you female apprentices for your workforce, connect you with group training providers, work with you to provide work experience opportunities, and help with workplace culture change and training.

    If you are a training provider, we can help you find eligible candidates seeking an apprenticeship training provider.

    If you are an educator, we can provide advice on ASBA employment, work experience opportunities, site visits, career events and talks, industry networking, and mentoring.

    If you are a parent or guardian we can answer any questions you may have about a young person seeking an apprenticeship.

  • Earn while you learn, gain real work-life skills, achieve a nationally recognised qualification and create a stepping stone to run your own business. So, if you’re a school student, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a career change an apprenticeship can deliver professional, financial, and personal rewards.

  • Australian Apprenticeships are available to anyone of working age with eligibility to work in Australia.

    There aren't specific school levels, certificates or other qualifications needed to start one, however employers can set requirements for their individual jobs.

    Students can start an Australian Apprenticeship while at school.

  • A pre-apprenticeship is entry-level training which can provide a pathway into the industry of your choice. Generally, they are offered in the traditional trades industries, such as Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing and Automotive. Not all apprenticeships have a designated pre-apprenticeship course and not all apprenticeship courses allow credits from a pre-apprenticeship.

    Build Like A Girl is involved in various Pathway Programs that combine pre-apprenticeship accredited modules, work experience and non-accredited industry learning. Information can be found here.

  • Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASbA), also known as school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, are similar to any apprenticeship or traineeship but commenced part-time as part of your secondary schooling. You will earn a wage, train with an employer, and work towards an accredited qualification while undertaking your high school certificate.

    Similar to all Australian Apprenticeships, ASbAs are a great way to learn a role, gain experience, and get a head start in your career. Depending on what you do as your ASbA you may be able to finish this and gain the qualification while you are still at school.

    If your school does not offer ASbAs, look at other options such as Vocational Education and Training in School (VET in Schools) or school subjects that lead into the occupation you are interested in. This will help you prepare for an apprenticeship or traineeship once you leave school.

    Some ASbAs may be ongoing post-school, but after you complete your apprenticeship or traineeship you will still be able to go to university, upskill to a higher level qualification or even start your own business.

  • Various trades are available, including (but not limited to): Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic, Bricklayer, Cabinetmaker, Carpenter, Drainer, Electrician, Electronic Equipment Trades Worker, Fibrous Plasterer, Fitter, Floor Finisher, Furniture Finisher, Gasfitter, Glazier, Landscape Gardener, Locksmith, Metal Fabricator, Metal Machinist, Painting Trades Worker, Plumber, and MORE.

  • All Australian Apprentices and Trainees have to do formal training, but this doesn’t have to be at TAFE.

    Registered Training Organisation’s (RTO) deliver the formal off-the-job training for Australian Apprentices. TAFE are one type of RTO, but you can also do your training at a private training provider - MBA, HIA, for example.

    Your employer may already have an RTO they use to train their apprentices and trainees. If you and your employer are choosing an RTO, you should consider:

    Which RTO can deliver the training you need for your qualification?

    Which RTO you can get to for your 'off the job' training (e.g. the location)?

    Remember, you need to sign-up into your apprenticeship or traineeship through an Australian Apprenticeships Support Network provider before you start training. They will be able to give you information on which RTOs deliver the training in your area, and may be able to suggest an RTO to use.

  • A Trade Support Loan can help you pay for your everyday living expenses while you undertake your apprenticeship or traineeship. It is an interest-free government funded loan that is paid in monthly instalments for up to six months at a time. Your debt is indexed annually and you will get a 20 per cent discount on your debt when you have successfully completed your apprenticeship.

    Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for other government incentives like

    Additional Identified Skills Shortage incentive, Living away from Home Allowance, Support for Australian Apprentices with Disability when commencing your apprenticeship or traineeship.

  • The type of qualification that you want and the industry you want to work in will determine whether you need to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship.

    Apprenticeships

    Apprenticeships allow you to study for a trade qualification, for example as a carpenter, chef or hairdresser. It will take approximately 3-4 years to complete an apprenticeship.

    Traineeships

    Traineeships allow you to study for a certificate qualification to work in a particular industry or occupation, for example Administration, office work, project work or information technology. It will take approximately 1-2 years to complete a traineeship.

  • Finding someone to employ you is often the biggest hurdle! Build Like A Girl has lots of industry partners, supporters and relationships that we use to help you find an employer. We also work closely with Master Builders, Association, CIT, TAFE and other training providers who may also have apprenticeship intakes and vacancies.

    In the 2020/2021 financial year, Build Like A Girl helped 11 women gain an apprenticeship, and they are still happily employed today!

    If you are seeking employment, we can connect you with the right people so you can start the conversation about your future trade career.

  • We sure do. Check out our jobs board and if you can’t find what you need, get in touch and we will speak to our industry partners and see how we can help you find that perfect trade job!

  • Labouring work is an opportunity to get a taste of what a building site is like, and whether or not its right for you. We always like to speak to people first before doing this to ensure they understand that laboring work can be very dirty, very physical and very transient. Whilst an apprenticeship can be similar, laboring work is not considered a “Skilled trade” and can often times be a negative experience if not correctly managed. We always suggest pre-apprenticeship programs or pathways program to give you a real opportunity to experience a trade role.

  • Starting out can be a very overwhelming feeling. If we haven’t answered your questions above, get in touch via our contact form, socials or email and we will talk you through the next steps.

    Don’t be afraid to ask, as your trade career could be right around the corner waiting for you!

  • For more information on apprenticeships and traineeships you can visit Australian Apprenticeships or call them on 13 38 73.

    The relevant state and territory training authorities can also provide assistance.

    Skills Canberra on (02) 6205 8555

    Training Services NSW on 13 28 11 or 1300 772 104 from interstate

    Department of Trade, Business and Innovation - Northern Territory on (08) 8935 7707

    Department of Education and Training - Queensland external-icon.png on 1800 210 210

    Department of State Development - South Australia on 1800 673 097

    Skills Tasmania on 1800 655 846

    Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority - VIC on 1300 722 603

    Apprenticeship Office WA on 13 19 54 or (08) 6551 5499 from interstate.

    The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) also have free online training to help apprentices and trainees develop money management skills. The online training covers topics including saving, budgeting and spending, personal tax and superannuation. Check out ASIC's Be MoneySmart online training centre external-icon.png to complete the training modules.