About 82% of civil engineering draftspeople in Australia are men, but TAFE NSW graduate Ellen Eager is shattering that stereotype. She recently pivoted from a legal career into construction and has just been promoted into management.

With the housing crisis prompting a building boom, more than 23,000 jobs are forecast to be added to the construction industry between 2023 and 2028. TAFE NSW is delivering a pipeline of workers to meet this demand through the range of construction trade courses it offers, including the Diploma of Civil Construction Design.

For years Ms Eager had been working as a paralegal but decided to change careers and enter the construction industry to follow her passion.

“My career as a paralegal had me burnt out. I’d always loved design and construction, and I was fascinated by how everything in the built world around us has been designed and had people pore over plans to build it. So, I decided to change careers and explore options in that field,” she said.

“I knew I wasn’t suited to a university course and I wanted to gain hands-on, practical skills - which is why the Diploma of Civil Construction Design at TAFE NSW stood out to me. It gave me the practical and theoretical skills to kickstart my new career as a draftsperson.”

Ms Eager, who grew up in south-west Sydney and now lives in the Sutherland Shire, is excelling in the industry. She has just been promoted from draftsperson to a new construction manager role with Sydney property development firm Retaining Wall Systems, which services major contractors and developers.

“To become a construction manager with my employer is a big honour for me and reinforces that I’ve made the correct decision for my future,” she said.

“As a construction manager I combine my legal experience from my previous career with the practical skills and knowledge I’ve gained through studying at TAFE NSW. My role now involves understanding construction plans and playing a key role in bringing those plans to life.

“Studying at TAFE NSW really launched my new career. My teachers helped open doors into the industry for me and assisted me to network and build connections that will help my career to flourish.”

Civil Engineering Head Teacher, Amro Ezzeldin, said studying at TAFE NSW gives students skills to ensure they are job-ready.

“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.

“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. Through these courses, we provide our students with the practical skills they need to work in the industry and get the job they want.”

Ms Eager said her studies built her confidence and empowered her to be an advocate for attracting more women into the construction industry.

“As a woman working in the sector, construction can be a tough industry. But with more women joining and old stereotypes being shattered, positive change is happening step by step,” she said.

“My advice is for any young woman or female school leaver to get a trade. The demand is there, the remuneration is there, and you can run your own race and achieve what you want.

“Women should work in construction just because they can. It doesn’t matter about the industry’s history or stereotypes. Women can do trades, can work in construction, and can achieve success in this industry.”

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