A Tamworth teenager is following the family “pipeline” into plumbing, joining her father and grandfather in the trade while helping pave the way for more women to enter the industry.
Makenzie Noble, 18, a first-year apprentice with Hicks Plumbing, is among a small but growing number of female plumbers. Women account for just 3 per cent of Australia’s plumbing workforce.
Despite growing up in a trade household, Ms Noble had not considered a career in the trades until boredom during the COVID-19 lockdowns prompted her to accompany her father on a job.
Inspired by the hands-on, problem-solving nature of the work, she decided to pursue plumbing as a career, continuing a family tradition spanning three generations.
“I’ve been lucky enough to gain an apprenticeship with a great company and I want to show everyone that females are just as capable at plumbing as the males,” Noble said.
“It’s a privilege to be part of the first-generation of female tradies … I’m proud to be a tradie chick.”
According to Master Plumbers Australia, plumbing contributes 9 per cent to Australia’s GDP and supports thousands of jobs nationwide. A growing skills shortage is also driving higher wages and strong job security for qualified plumbers.
Noble said her studies at TAFE NSW Tamworth had helped her develop practical skills and deepen her understanding of the industry.
“It’s great to learn all the standards and codes I need to use every day in my job,” she said.
“And the teachers are really experienced and supportive.”
While women remain underrepresented on construction sites, Noble said she had not experienced discrimination from her predominantly male colleagues.
“They’re not always used to having females on site and might have to be careful about their language at times, but everyone accepts me for who I am,” Noble said.
“I want to stay in this trade for as long as I can and hopefully own my own business one day. And it’s good to know a robot isn’t going to be able to take our jobs.”
TAFE NSW Tamworth head teacher of plumbing Michael Burn said Noble was one of a growing number of women undertaking plumbing apprenticeships in the region.
“Females seem to have a different mindset from males and have a bit more attention to detail,” he said.
“There are so many opportunities to make a difference in a rewarding plumbing career, and our skills-based courses allow students to hit the ground running.”
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