Today marks the start of National Skills Week! Showcasing the important role of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and where it can take you
Celebrating the week, we’re looking at some of the awesome women in trades who are role models for what you could follow as a career path!
From net zero jobs to teaching others, there is some pretty incredible work to be done in this space. Have a look at some of our favourite profiles below.

Katrina Russell – Electrician
Katrina Russell works for Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s largest generator of renewable energy. She got there thanks to an apprenticeship!
Melinda Jeffery – Engineering trades teacher
The thought of three years stuck in a classroom environment at uni almost led Melinda to drop out of school in Year 12. But some helpful career advice and hands-on work experience got her through. Today, she’s back in the classroom: this time around as the teacher!


Bonnie Anderson – Electrician
Bonnie Anderson had worked for four years in real estate but was “itching to get out from behind the desk to do something hands-on. Not many females go down the trade path but my dad has a dual trade and I have family who are tradespeople,” she says.
Stef Apostolidis – Chippy Chick
Stef Apostolidis, aka @melbournechippychick, shares active on-site shots full of sunshine to her 148k instagram followers. And it’s clear she loves her job as a site manager and carpenter, but it took a few twists and turns to discover the career she wanted.


Donna Stace – Maintenance supervisor and diversity pathways project lead
Donna Stace has an epic CV. The WA-based qualified fitter and machinist is a formally trained mechanical engineer whose held a variety of exciting roles in the mining, oil and gas and construction industries, despite not going down the traditional university route.
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