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Sydney Trains female apprentices step up amid local labour target

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Sydney Trains has welcomed a growing number of female apprentices into traditionally male-dominated trades, aiming to meet local labor targets.
  • Two apprentices, Ariana Gackowski and Nicola Huggins, shared their positive experiences transitioning into hands-on roles, inspired by family and a desire for practical careers.
  • Despite the male dominance in railway track work and electrical trades, Sydney Trains is increasing its female apprentice intake, contributing to a push for greater local production in future rail projects.

Sydney Trains is actively increasing its intake of female apprentices, particularly in trades that have historically been male-dominated. This initiative aims to bolster the local workforce and meet government targets for local labor participation in upcoming rail projects.

He worked high up and he started where I am as a fleet electrician.

— Ariana GackowskiGackowski on being inspired by her father's career at Sydney Trains.

Ariana Gackowski, who followed her father into an electrical apprenticeship at Sydney Trains, expressed her enthusiasm for the hands-on work. Similarly, Nicola Huggins transitioned from bookkeeping to a trade role, finding satisfaction in using heavy machinery and learning practical skills. Both apprentices highlighted the welcoming environment they encountered, despite initial apprehension about joining a male-dominated field.

"It was pretty big decision for me," Huggins said of joining the program. "But I was just straight over in the warehouse, straight in with the crew and everyone was really nice and friendly." This sentiment underscores the efforts made by Sydney Trains to foster an inclusive atmosphere for its apprentices.

I've never really touched tools much before this so it's been great being able to use the big machines, the guillotine, the bender, the grinder; it's great.

— Nicola HugginsHuggins describing her positive experience with the hands-on aspects of the apprenticeship.

While men still constitute 94% of Australia's railway track workers and 97% of its electricians, women now represent over 11% of Sydney Trains apprentices, a figure that is steadily increasing. The apprentices split their time between TAFE and the rail operator's maintenance center, gaining skills in areas like wiring, welding, and the operation of heavy machinery.

It was straight into the trains. I was underneath trains, I was on top of trains, I was inside trains.

— Nicola HugginsHuggins on her immediate immersion in practical work during the apprenticeship.

This push for local talent comes as the NSW government emphasizes increased local production for future rail projects. With plans to replace the Tangara Fleet, the government has committed to a target of 50% local labor, making the development of a skilled, diverse workforce a priority for Sydney Trains.

It was pretty big decision for me. But I was just straight over in the warehouse, straight in with the crew and everyone was really nice and friendly.

— Nicola HugginsHuggins on her initial apprehension and subsequent positive experience joining the male-dominated program.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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