Careers with STEM: Trades 2026

CAREERS withSTEM

TERM 3, 2026

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LE B U DOISSUE R P FO ING FLIINEER E NG

trades

Yana Marks Plumber + Love IsLand star

Trade myths, meet reality p4

Women changing the face of trades

Your guide to VET pathways p3

p6

CAREERS with STEM.COM ENERGY

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TECHNOLOGY

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TRANSPORT

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DESIGN

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PLUMBING

UPFRONT

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E D A R T A E S O O WHY CH

type? It’s scheduled for You know that old tradie stereo at the future of trades demolition! Take a fresh look

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eprint. hrow out the old career blu , Today’s trades are high-tech ring future-focused and powe t-growing some of Australia’s fastes ance to build ch ur yo industries. This is becomes big! In trades, imagination s can lead to hip reality, and apprentices six-figure salaries. upations in With nearly half of all occ to trades, the national shortage linked rs has never demand for skilled worke there’s been greater. That means step up and to e tim never been a better make your mark. scious, Whether you’re climate-con or just e tiv en passionate, practical, inv th wi eer curious, there’s a trades car your name on it.

read more

WORDS: JASMINE FELLOWS | IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

5 trades careers paving the way for modern Australia, p4 Smashing stereotypes in trades, p6 Next steps, p8

Tools up! Plan your career here

trevor gaul

d jsa deputy commission er We want Australians to understand the power of a VET qualification to place you in the career of your dreams” CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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Not sure what your next car eer move looks like? Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has dropped a fresh tool designed to help take out the guesswork.

Jump on the JSA website to connect vocational education and training (VET) qualifications with ocuupations using the Trainin g Occupation Pathways data set.

They have the evidence you need to work out how different courses can unlock careers, ranging from healthc are and construction to tech, des ign and the creative arts.

Explore the JSA data set to plan your nex t move.

UPFRONT

Find your way In trades! Follow the arrows to discover your perfect role The area of STEM you like the most is engineering

You’re always curious about how things work

Your family always asks you to set up new electronics at home

Being creative is important to you

On the weekend, you like to build everything from LEGO to furniture

WORDS: LOUISE MEERS | IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

connec An electrician installs, tests, modifies commissions, maintains and and electrical equipment, wiring control systems. erstand the The STEM: They need to und their own science behind electricity for asure and safety, plus use maths to me ctrical loads. cut wires, and calculate ele in Get qualified: Cer tificate III n) icia ctr (Ele gy olo Electrotechn

You’re more of a planner than a designer

You don’t mind messy jobs

You’re interested in a career in renewables, or a job where you can work lots of different places

Electriciants,

You’re okay with having a physically demanding job

Plumber

Carpenter

A carpenter works in construction, where they build and repair objects and structures made of wood.

The STEM: They use maths like arithmetic, algebra and geometry to measure and adjust materials for their projects.

Get qualified: Certificate III in Carpentry

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A plumber installs, repairs and maintains pipes. They also ma ke sure water, sewage and gas systems work correctly.

The STEM: From figuring out volumes of materials and cal culating flow rates of gas appliances to sizing pipe work, there’s a whole lot of maths in plumbing.

Get qualified: Cer tificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber)

TRADES

TRADES+BUILDING THE FUTURE

s r e e r a c s e trad r o f y a w e h t paving a i l a r t s u A n r mode T

his is not a drill: trades are in demand.

There’s A LOT going on in Australia right now. With infrastructure, housing and Olympics projects all in the pipeline, tradespeople are in demand. And when you add the transition to renewable energy on top? We’ve actually got ourselves a skills shortage. That means it’s your time to shine. Pick any of the below trades to master and you’ll score yourself a whole lot of job security once you start working.

Electric vehicle (EV) mechanic As the world starts getting behind the wheels of EVs, it’s important we have people who can service and maintain them. An EV mechanic is skilled in a vehicle’s electrical systems, as well as high-voltage safety. They can also diagnose and repair battery and software issues.

Get there: Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology

WORDS: LOUISE MEERS | IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

Electricianrgy means we

The transition to clean ene t, Jobs and need more electricians. In fac d 32,000 nee ’ll we ts Skills Australia predic rs! As an yea en sev more a year in the next you’ll es, abl electrician working in renew n, sio install, test, connect, commis l equipment, maintain and modify electrica wiring and control systems.

Get there: Certificate III in n Electrotechnology Electricia

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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Fibre optic technician

The construction of data cen tres equals a massive demand for aweso me tradies, especially those working in ele ctrical and mechanical industries. Fibre optic technicians are one of those crucial tradies – they’re responsible for installing and maintaining the fibre opt ic cabling that provides high-speed con nectivity for AI, the cloud and data transm ission.

Get there: Certificate III in Telecommunications Techno logy

Trades myths busted “Trades aren’t really STEM careers.”

Wrong! Each trade on this page (and so many more) uses STEM every single day. That might be science to understand electrical circuits, tech to create digital blueprints, engineering to build, maintain and repair complex machinery, or maths for measurements.

“Women don’t belong in trades.”

They absolutely DO. Trades are for everyone, and they require skill, precision and technical ability, not just physical strength. With the help of tech and modern machinery, trades are accessible to anyone with the right training.

Carpenter Carpenters (or chippies!) are experts in working with timber. The current construction boom in transport, education, healthcare and public infrastructure is keeping them busy. They’re helping solve the current housing shortage too, with the federal government saying a big ‘yes’ to building 1.2 million new homes across Australia by 2029. That’s not all though.

Carpenters will also be building and upgrading stadiums and venues, plus the athletes’ village, for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Trades don’t pay well.”

Tradespeople actually have high earning potential.

Many of the highest paying trades in Australia offer average salaries from $80K–$120K, according to SEEK.

Get there: Certificate III in Carpentry

“There are no career opportunities in trades.”

There are plenty! The trades skills shortage in Australia means tradies are extremely employable once they’re qualified.

nd Air-conditioning ah mec anic be an refrigeration, clim ate change), there will

nks As the temperature rises (tha in homes and climate control systems ling coo for increase in demand nic installs, ion and air-conditioning mecha and businesses. A refrigerat wledge in systems with their expert kno maintains and repairs these l. ica ctr ing) and all things ele pipework, brazing (metal-join ration Air-Conditioning and Refrige Get there: Certificate III in

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“There’s no career progression in trades.”

Not true. Tradies can work their way up the career ladder to become team leaders and site managers.

Or, once they have enough experience, they can start their own businesses.

TRADES

TRADES+WOMEN

GAME CHANGERS Meet 3 women slaying in trades

Yana Marks

Plumber+winner of Love Island (Season 7) into her DMs, hen the Love Island crew slid hire her as Yana thought they wanted to y were offering her a tradesperson! Instead, the first she brushed it a chance to join the show. At took it as a sign off, but they kept asking so she thought the show and eventually said yes. Yana ocate for girls in adv could be a great platform to a ng tradie doesn’t trades and highlight that bei limit other life opportunities. castmates were While in the villa, Yana says her she was a tradie, surprised when they found out e of who they as she didn’t fit the stereotyp flip side, a project believed a plumber was. On the ile launched while she’d been working on for a wh ear brand called she was on the show – a workw Tradxe Chicks.

WORDS: KAREN TAYLOR-BROWN, LOUISE MEERS, HEATHER CATCHPOLE + CASSIE STEEL | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / YANA MARKS / SHUTTERSTOCK

Certificate III in Plumbing, TAFE NSW

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“Throughout my whole apprenticeship, the only clothes I would wear to work were either my boyfriend’s or boys’ clothes,” explains Yana.

“I was a girl who always had my lashes, nails and makeup done, and I wanted clothes that made me feel like a girl.”

Yana believes this will encourage more girls to consider a trade because they’ll feel more comfortable and confident.

“We launched about six months ago, and we’ve had over 5,000 orders!”

If you’re considering a trades apprenticeship, Yana suggests trying your connections.

“Find someone within your network, like a family friend, to work with because you’ll be more comfortable.”

She also says you need to be okay with being left alone. “That’s when I learnt the most because I didn’t have my boss peeking over my shoulder!”

the only clot s i would wear to worhe were my boyfriend’s kor boys’ clothes”

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Follow Yana on TikTok: @sydneyplumberchick

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Follow Stef on Instagram: @melbournechippychick

Stef Apostolidi

Carpenter+site mana s ger

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tef is not only a successful tradie with a huge social following but also the founder of the Tradie Lady Club, supporting and networking women in trades.

Her suggestion to high school students thinking of study and career choices is to focus on the subjects you enjoy.

“That’s what you will end up being good at. If not, you will find it. Don’t stress. Think about what you enjoy most, and try to envision that in a job.”

As for the STEM in her job? “I find maths very important for what I am doing now, but it’s not the type of maths that you need to memorise, like every times table. It’s more important to memorise the methods of how to work out volumes, areas and materials,” she says.

Certificate III in Carpentry, Melbourne Polytechnic

Diploma of Building and Construction, Swinburne University

Jennah Halley Electrician+Australian Apprentice of the Year 2022 9-to-5 techs in Cairns, Jennah spends s one of the only female fridge high-vis! uniform of choice: colourful smashing stereotypes in her e,” Jennah her up ry e in an all-male indust “Originally I was the new fac and rs pee my great relationships with explains. “But I’ve built many y do.” the at people see that I can do wh suppliers, and time has helped s to girl ng inspiring the next gen of you Jennah is most excited about eer options. think about widening their car that other has changed perspectives so “Hopefully seeing me do this ts you and just “My advice? Find what interes women can follow,” she says. get out and do it!”

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CAREERS

withSTEM JOB KIT ™

Electrician The future is clean

Read more about Jennah in our Electrician Job Kit: bit.ly/ElectricianJK Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Queensland TAFE

Certificate III in Electrotechnology, Queensland TAFE

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TRADES

TRADES+NEXT STEPS

Trade in your career Build your way into a better life

follow

@melbournechippychick

(TikTok & Instagram) luencer Carpenter by day, and CEO/inf life for de by night. Your go-to gui Australia. on-site as a female tradie in

@cameronstreeter44 (Instagram & TikTok) Creates funny skits on life as a construction worker!

@siteinspection

) (YouTube, TikTok & Instagram Watch independent building es, to inspections of $1.5 million hom He offers houses that need more love. on comprehensive explanations what and s ect def structure, hidden ll. wa dry the ind really happens beh

Electives checklist

Vocational Education and Training (VET) An alternative to VCE & HSC

✔ Mathematics (a ny ) ✔ Physics ✔ Product design an d technology ✔ Systems engineer ing ✔ English

Certificate II in Building and Construction Preapprenticeship

WORDS: SAMANTHA WHEELER | IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

Certificate II in Construction Pathways

The Sims 3 or 4 (STEAM) This award-winning game lets you build your dream life through sims, but the main event is build mode.

You can get ‘hands-on’ and build a hou se from scratch, whether that be cus tom woodwork finish to fine-tunin g the interior design.

Cities: Skylines (STEAM) Released in 2015, this simula tion game is still worth the hype. Build and maintain cities while they exp and, with a focus not only on constructio n but water, electricity, police, fire s, healthcare and much more.

Certificate II in Plumbing (Preapprenticeship)

House Flipper (STEAM) This gaming simulation gets you to buy, repair and remodel houses. Bec ome a one-person renovation cre w!

Certificate II in Civil Construction Certificate II in Furniture Making Pathways

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games

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