Job seekers jump on the tools at Sydney Metro’s first Try a Trade Day
26.02.2025
Encouraging women to consider a rewarding career in construction and other trades was the focus of Sydney Metro’s very first Try a Trade Day event, held at TAFE NSW’s Institute of Applied Technology Construction campus.
More than 50 women jobseekers attended the bespoke event where they were given the opportunity to jump on the tools and experience some of the day-to-day activities of tradespeople working in carpentry, electrical, civil construction and plumbing.
Under the guidance of qualified TAFE teachers, participants received hands-on experience at four workstations.
- Carpentry: Participants learned to effectively use leveling tools, including a laser level and a spirit level, to achieve precise horizontal and vertical alignment in timber construction.
- Electrical: Participants developed skills in using a multimeter for electrical testing, focusing on measuring resistance and conducting continuous testing, an important part of ensuring any electrical work meets legal and industry standards and requirements.
- Civil construction: Participants were introduced to three types of heavy machinery: skid steers, excavators, and elevating work platforms, to become familiar with the operation, safety protocols, and applications of each machine.
- Plumbing: Participants became familiar with essential sheet metal tools, including the guillotine and sheet metal folder, focusing on precision and technique.
The event also provided a platform for jobseekers to network with representatives from up to 30 organisations that are actively recruiting to fill more than 45 job vacancies in various trades and non-traditional occupations. This includes roles with some of Sydney Metro’s delivery partners.
Women currently make up only two per cent of trades working on construction sites across the country.
Opening doors for women to enter the construction industry is essential to securing the longevity of the sector and is a key priority for Sydney Metro.
Since 2017, Sydney Metro projects have employed more than 9,922 women to help build Sydney’s new railway.
As construction continues on Sydney Metro’s Southwest, West and Western Sydney Airport lines, thousands of workers will be needed to help deliver these projects. Sydney Metro is trialing new targets to have four per cent of the trades workforce to be women and seven per cent of total workforce to be women in non-traditional occupations.
Sydney Metro is Australia’s biggest public transport project and will create more than 160,000 direct or indirect jobs.
The Try a Trade event supports the broader NSW Government Women in Construction Program. The event was delivered in partnership with Sydney Metro and its delivery partners as well as other infrastructure projects, Transport for NSW, TAFE NSW, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, NSW Department of Education and Global Skills.
To register for the 2025 Sydney Metro Try A Trade Day please email Sydney Metro’s Workforce Development and Industry Participation team: workforcedevelopment@transport.nsw.gov.au.
Current job vacancies with Sydney Metro’s delivery partners can be viewed on the Sydney Metro website https://www.sydneymetro.info/jobs-station-and-site. For Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport - Stations, Systems, Trains, Operations and Maintenance (SSTOM) vacancies please email inclusivecareers@parklifejv.au