A TAFE NSW plumbing apprentice is kicking goals in her new career, having discovered a passion for the in-demand trade after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Only 3% of plumbers are women, and with the industry forecast to have employment growth of almost 3,000 jobs per year according to Jobs and Skills Australia, TAFE NSW is training the next generation of plumbers to help meet the industry’s demand.

Zoe Marshall is one of the new plumbers joining the trade. She decided to follow her father’s footsteps into the career after being uncertain of her vocational future when COVID-19 took hold.

“When I finished school during the pandemic, I tried different things for work, but wasn’t enjoying it. I was in a rut. I investigated all the different trades and decided that plumbing was indeed the best fit for my personality. Plumbing is a hands-on trade, and I just couldn’t see myself sitting behind a computer all day,” Ms Marshall said.

“I enjoy doing something different each day through the plumbing apprenticeship I secured. I enjoy the problem solving, thinking outside the box, and finding new ways to do things.

“In high school, I wasn’t really a focussed learner. When I came to TAFE NSW, where it’s an environment of developing practical skills, it really suited me. I connected with it and enjoyed it, and I became a really focussed learner.”

Ms Marshall is studying a Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber) at TAFE NSW Randwick and is thriving in the industry - working on construction sites and maintenance jobs across Sydney.

“My job now sees me work about half the time on construction projects and half the time on maintenance jobs. I get to see the different sides of plumbing, and I feel really accomplished when I help create something new,” she said.

“In this trade you get to make someone’s day and life better – whether it be building their dream bathroom or fixing a leaking pipe, either way this trade is really important to help us live. It’s rewarding and I don’t take what I do lightly. We help society move on and create our economy to be what it is.”

Ms Marshall is an advocate for more women to take up plumbing, particularly at a time when the skillset is in demand.

“Growing up, I played a lot of sports and was often told I couldn’t do something because I am a girl. That ignited something in me and really made me strive to succeed and prove them wrong,” she said.

“While plumbing is a male-dominated trade, women can do it. You can put your mind to it, and you can make it in this industry -- which needs as many people as possible to join it to help address the skills need.

“At TAFE NSW, I was the only girl in my class, but I was never made to feel like an outsider. They helped build me up, rather than tear me down.

“Women can do anything they put their mind to.”

Head teacher of plumbing at TAFE NSW Randwick, Andy Gilmore, said while plumbing has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, it is a valuable career path for women to consider.

“Only 3% of plumbers in Australia are women, and TAFE NSW is delivering a pipeline of workers to grow that figure and meet industry demand through the plumbing courses we offer,” Mr Gilmore said.

“Zoe’s story is a prime example of how TAFE NSW provides the skills our students need to get the job they want, and then flourish in. I congratulate Zoe on her achievements, but particularly the example she’s setting for other women to join our industry.”

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