“Trading Up” to boost retention of early-career women plumbers and electricians in Queensland

By Tanya Andrews, Founder of Trellis Collective

Tuesday 3rd February, 2026

Queensland Government-funded initiative delivers targeted support for early-career women in licensed trades.

A new Queensland Government-funded pilot, “Trading Up”, has launched to address  one of the trades’ most persistent workforce challenges: retaining skilled early-career women in the plumbing and electrical industry .

Delivered by Trellis Collective in partnership with the Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland and Master Electricians Australia, the Trading Up program provides a tailored, industry informed support for early-career women currently  working in plumbing and electrical businesses across Queensland.

While workforce shortages continue to place pressure on essential trades, women remain significantly underrepresented in the sector - and those who do enter the sector often leave early due to isolation, limited mentorship, and workplace barriers. 

Trading Up has been designed to intervene early, building the confidence, connection, and career momentum needed to keep talented women in the industry long term.

Funded by the Queensland Government through the Industry Skills Solutions initiative, the pilot directly supports the state’s goal of increasing participation and retention of women in the construction trades sector, while strengthening the sustainability of Queensland’s plumbing and electrical workforce.

Trellis Collective CEO Tanya Andrews said the program responds to a clear gap in traditional training models.

“Early-career women working in plumbing and electrical businesses often face added pressure from isolation, limited access to role models, and uncertainty about how to navigate male-dominated environments,” Ms Andrews said. “Trading Up recognises these realities and provides practical, career-focused support that helps participants build confidence, connection, and momentum so they can stay, grow, and progress in the industry .”

Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland CEO Penny Cornah said the pilot directly responds  to skills shortages facing the plumbing sector.

“With women representing  around half the population, we can’t afford to overlook this talent pool, ” Ms Cornah said. “Trading Up supports  early-career women to build the skills, confidence, and connections needed to remain  in the industry and contribute long-term to Queensland’s plumbing workforce.”

Master Electricians Australia CEO Kate Raymond said confidence and respectful working relationships are critical to safety and retention in the electrical sector.

“In the electrical and construction sector, confidence, communication, and trust aren’t ‘soft skills’ - they’re fundamental to a successful industry,” Ms Raymond said. “By strengthening respectful working relationships and helping early-career women build confidence in their role, Trading Up supports more sustainable careers in our industry.”

Trading Up is grounded in the proven outcomes of Trellis Collective’s award-winning First Five Program, which has supported more than 200 early-career women nationally since 2023. The pilot adapts this evidence-based model specifically for the plumbing and electrical trades, through live workshops, trade specific case studies, female mentors and industry focused data collection to inform future workforce initiatives. 

The Trading Up pilot will commence in Queensland in 2026.

To find out more information, contact Trellis Collective via [email protected]  with the subject line ‘Trading Up Project’, or register your interest below.

Find out more about Trading Up