As the building boom continues, a stream of new workers is joining the construction industry thanks to TAFE NSW. Plenty of them are career changers who understand that many opportunities lie in the demand for housing and infrastructure as communities spread.

39-year-old Lucy Martin is one of them. Only 18% of civil engineering draftspeople in Australia are women, but Lucy is helping grow that figure after swapping careers and starting on a new path upon graduating from TAFE NSW. At the same time, she’s taking advantage of the projected construction industry employment growth of 23,500 between May 2025 and May 2028.

“I spent 15 years working in the hospitality industry, but I decided it was time for a change. Coupled with my interest in construction design and seeing a plan come to life, I knew the construction industry was growing, so I decided to make the jump and find a role there as a draftsperson,” she said.

Ms Martin studied a Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design at TAFE NSW Wollongong and a Diploma of Civil Construction Design at TAFE NSW Ultimo. She’s now working on projects in communities that are forecast to continue growing as the housing shortage is addressed.

“I’ve just started a new design role working with engineers in developing amenities like footpaths, cycleways, and stormwater drainage on residential and commercial projects in growth areas outside Sydney, including the Illawarra, Wollondilly, and Shoalhaven,” Ms Martin said.

“My TAFE NSW education provided me with a strong practical skillset to be able to quickly start succeeding in my new career. It made a massive difference in helping me understand what I was drafting on plans and understanding the many different aspects of civil engineering, and that boosted my confidence immensely.

“It also gave me a strong understanding of other roles in the industry, which helped me work more effectively with my colleagues and stakeholders because I understood the requirements of their job and how that helped the project succeed.”

Civil Engineering Head Teacher, Amro Ezzeldin, said studying at TAFE NSW gives students a wide range of industry-current skills to ensure they make a strong start to their career.

“As the boom in construction continues, TAFE NSW is delivering a pipeline of workers to the industry through courses like our Certificate IV in Engineering Drafting, Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design, and Diploma of Civil Construction Design,” he said.

“Through these courses, we provide our students with the practical skills they need to get the job they want in the industry. To see more women joining the sector by studying at TAFE NSW highlights how a career in construction is an option for anyone, no matter their gender.”

Ms Martin said she wants to continue using her new skills to help address the housing shortage.

“I hope to progress as a civil construction designer and continue to use my skills to contribute to this growing industry,” she said.

“It’s a sector that’s really rewarding to be a part of, and I encourage anyone, particularly women, to enter the industry. Regardless of their age or background, women need to know they can achieve anything they want to, no matter what stereotypes an industry may traditionally have.
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“The more women we have in construction the better, and TAFE NSW can play a key role in helping you achieve your goals in this industry.”

Media contact: Rob Virtue, Communications Specialist, rob.virtue@tafensw.edu.au.