Sewing for a seachange

Trish Parish is a mature age student in textile fabrication at Ultimo TAFE and has embraced the growing trend of women entering trades.

"It was a shock at first, as I am 41-year-old woman and all the other people in the course are young males," she says. "But it's been a real eye-opener and it's great."

After being made redundant from her job in the public health service Trish commenced a traineeship at her sister and brother-in-law's truck tarpaulin company.

Trish has completed many other courses throughout her life, including a university degree, but is now enjoying working with her hands instead of her head.

In this video, she offers advice to people considering a career change and being a female in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Trish's teacher, Lawrence De Paoli, explains how TAFE is supports mature age students and how TAFE encourages and supports females in male-dominated courses.

"TAFE has a great mechanism in place to recognise the skills mature age students have already gained, be it through previous learning, work experience or life in general," he explains.

Through recognition of prior learning TAFE NSW offers advanced standing to students who have previously gained knowledge. Read more here

"Plus, a lot of women are approaching trades with a different outlook now. It's not this daunting task that it used to be."

"TAFE is encouraging more women to come in, there areÂ greater opportunites now, and I think even employers are realising a woman can do the same job as a man."

TAFE offers a variety of support services and special courses to help women get the most out of training across all areas of study. Read more here

VJs: Emma Sampson & Leilah Schubert

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Sewing for a seachange

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