The Victorian Chamber, which delivers Apprenticeships Support Australia (ASA) services in Victoria, has secured outcomes for hundreds of thousands of businesses, apprentices and trainees – and is a strong advocate for women in trades.

The pathway for women in trades is characterised by Chhunly, who completed a Certificate III in Civil Construction at the Holmesglen Institute and worked on infrastructure projects such as the Metro Tunnel.

She was recognised for her achievements with Holmesglen’s George Kline Apprentice of the Year award, before winning the 2022 Victorian Training Award and becoming a finalist in the national awards.

Despite this, like many before her, Chhunly was initially uncertain about doing a trade.

“I did not know I wanted to do a trade until I got given this opportunity on this [Metro Tunnel] project,” she says.

“I’ve been in construction for probably eight years now. I started off in routing traffic, sort of seeing what was behind the gate and got intrigued by it – the infrastructure building caught my mind.”

Chhunly undertook her qualifications, or ‘tickets’, before joining the Metro Tunnel project.

“I started off as a ‘peggy’, a site cleaner, and my boss said: ‘You’re wasted energy here. Let’s chuck you on the tools with boys,’ and off I went, shovelling dirt and whatever else I had to do. And then he said there’s opportunities for females doing trades or in construction.

“This course, Certificate III in civil construction, helped me become a leading hand. From there on I was sort of Metro Tunnel’s shining girl, I guess you could say.”

Chhunly says the accolades she received were validation for her efforts but prove that the right pathways exist for anyone entering the industry.

“That was another level. Being nominated was enough for me. I never thought I’d be in this position.

“It sort of pumped my tyres up – if I can do it, anyone else can.”

While appreciative of the support and opportunities presented to her, Chhunly is candid about taking the initiative to make the most of those openings.

“To put it in a nutshell, I guess it is about the opportunities from my employers, my bosses and the people that I work with.

“They see someone that has got something, but then it’s up to you to drive what they’ve given you and make the most of the opportunity.

“I was in a class full of blokes but I got the job because I was damn good at what I did. I did it because I’ve got a passion for it.”

The path forward for Chhunly is a Certificate IV in Civil Supervision, which will be finalised soon.

“I guess that’s my next role, becoming part of the supervision team where I get to drive the ship and steer it the right way.

“That’s my next career goal – I am working towards it.”

In the meantime, Chhunly has been using her voice as a platform for other women in the industry.

“I have pride in this industry. We have few females in trades in Australia but it’s only two per cent of us nationally,” she says.

“With these accolades I thought it’s worth giving a voice for the minority that don’t get looked at twice for a job like this, to educate them and show them that there is a pathway that we can do it as well.

“I see female supervisors in our industry tell blokes what to do. It’s something I want to do with my career, to bring together everybody else that wants to do it, and open doors for them like they were opened for me.”

Victorian Chamber support

The Victorian Chamber was proud to host Chhunly at one of our networking events to assist her to connect with others to promote females in trades.

ASA provides a wide range of services, including assistance to apprentices at commencement of their apprenticeship, advising of their rights and responsibilities, best practice and mentoring and financial benefits available to them.

We undertake pastoral care throughout the duration of the apprenticeship to ensure the apprenticeship is going well and the apprentice is progressing. If required, mentoring support is offered to assist with complex issues.

Our services for women apprentices and trainees (and broader services) comprise:

• Providing career and pathway advice related to the apprentice
• Linkages with relevant support services to further support women in their apprenticeship
• Establishing peer support networks to strengthen and inspire women in non-traditional trades
• Creating opportunities for WNTT to undertake enterprise skills training
• Conducting or attending events with the intention to promote trades to women
• Monitoring network activity to identify risk areas and/or target individuals requiring additional assistance
• Identify at risk apprentices and support them through the provision of in-training support
• Assist with identifying a career pathway and provide a plan/establish career progression
• Identify/deliver opportunities for further business/professional skills training
• Identify further learning and education opportunities through apprenticeships and traineeship or VET pathways.

Contact us here for expert guidance about employing or becoming an apprentice or trainee.