TAFE NSW Lidcombe is addressing the glazing gender gap in regional areas by skilling aspiring female glaziers from all over NSW. Five of six female students completing a Certificate III in Glass and Glazing (Glazing) hail from regional locations including Armidale, Karuah (Hunter region), Parkes and Perthville (Bathurst).

Female glaziers make up only 4% of the industry, with glazier work being strong in regional areas. 89% of glaziers are in full-time work, which is 23% above the all-jobs average, and 46% of glaziers live outside of capital cities. *

21-year-old Zoe Beattie, a third-year TAFE NSW glazing student travels from Armidale to TAFE NSW Lidcombe to receive high-quality training. Zoe is third-year apprentice with employer Lockman Doors and Glass in Armidale. She says the travel is worth it to gain skills to become a tradesperson glazier.

“TAFE NSW Lidcombe has modern equipment including scissor lifts and glass robotic lifting machines to learn on. I’m developing excellent skills to carve out a career as a glazier in regional NSW. Before I studied the Certificate III in Glass and Glazing, I knew nothing about glass.  With the support of my TAFE NSW teachers and employer I now feel incredibly inspired about my career choice.”

Dean Waters Director of Lockman Doors and Glass has seen Zoe’s skillset develop while simultaneously completing and apprenticeship and studying at TAFE NSW Lidcombe.

“During her employment, Zoe has demonstrated remarkable growth and development. She takes immense pride in her work and approaches all aspects of her role with enthusiasm and dedication. We are highly impressed with Zoe’s skillset and are eager to see how her career will evolve in the future,” Mr Waters said.

Zoe’s interest in glass and glazing comes at an auspicious time, with the glazing industry predicted to boom in growth. According to NSW Government 2022 Population Projections, it’s estimated that NSW will need an additional 904,000 homes over the next 20 years to house the growing population. This equates to 45,200 new homes annually, including 28,500 in Greater Sydney and 16,700 in regional NSW.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Glass and Glazing Mark Nicholls said that while work in glass and glazing hasn’t been a traditional career pathway for women, more women are shattering the glass ceiling to forge careers in the industry.

“Women find the equipment easy to use and their attention to detail, creativity, and innovation, supports them to thrive in the industry. What we offer at the TAFE NSW Centre for Excellence in Lidcombe is the gold standard in the sector, giving students practical experience on the best equipment in the business,” Mr Nicholls said.

“The nationally recognised Certificate III in Glass and Glazing equips students with specialist skills needed to work on residential, commercial, and large-scale infrastructure projects. They’re taught a range of practical and theoretical skills – from learning how to cut glass by hand to the critical steps to starting a business.

“We are positioning our students to take advantage of the job opportunities presenting themselves as the need for housing collides with a significant skills shortage across a multitude of trades.”

* Labour Market Outlook 2021-2022.

Media contact: Karen Farrell, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, karen.farrell17@tafensw.edu.au,  0425 275 611.