For women working in male-dominated industries, starting a family can come with a lot of uncertainty. Questions about workplace safety, continuing an apprenticeship, maternity leave and returning to work can make it feel like pregnancy and a trade career can’t go hand in hand.
The reality is different.
With the right support from employers, mentors and industry, many women continue to build successful careers in the trades before, during and after pregnancy. It’s about planning, open communication and knowing that you don’t have to navigate the journey alone.
Building a Trade Career and Starting a Family
Choosing a trade doesn’t mean putting life on hold.
Across Australia, more women are entering apprenticeships in industries like automotive, construction, electrical, plumbing and manufacturing. As the number of tradeswomen grows, so too does the need for workplaces that support different career journeys, including pregnancy and parenthood.
Every pregnancy is different, and every workplace has different requirements. Some tasks may need to be adjusted as pregnancy progresses, while others can continue safely with appropriate planning and risk assessments.
The important thing is starting the conversation early.
When apprentices and employers work together to discuss suitable duties, timelines and support, it becomes much easier to create a plan that works for everyone.
Planning Makes All the Difference
Queensland automotive apprentice Issabella Creese knows how overwhelming that conversation can feel.
Just one week after starting with a new employer in Mt Isa, she found out she was pregnant.
Her first thought was that her dream of becoming a mechanic was over.
Instead, her employer worked with her to make sure it wasn’t.
As her pregnancy progressed, heavier mechanical work was reassigned while she focused on servicing vehicles and other suitable tasks. Later, she transitioned into office-based duties before beginning maternity leave.
Because those conversations happened early, everyone understood what was needed and workplace adjustments became a normal part of the process rather than a last-minute challenge.
Returning to the Workshop After Maternity Leave
Returning to work after having a baby can feel just as daunting as announcing a pregnancy.
Many apprentices worry they’ve forgotten their skills, lost confidence or won’t be able to keep up after time away.
That’s a completely normal feeling.
Like many new parents, Issabella returned to work by easing back into familiar tasks before gradually rebuilding her confidence and returning to more complex mechanical work. With support from her employer and colleagues, she was able to continue progressing through her apprenticeship rather than starting over.
For employers, supporting apprentices through major life milestones also makes good business sense. Retaining skilled apprentices means keeping valuable knowledge, commitment and experience within the business while helping address ongoing skills shortages across the trades.
The Challenges Aren’t Always in the Workshop
For many tradeswomen, the physical aspects of pregnancy are only one part of the journey.
There can also be assumptions from customers, uncertainty about career progression and practical challenges like organising childcare while continuing an apprenticeship.
These experiences can feel isolating, particularly in industries where women are still underrepresented.
That’s why having people who understand the unique challenges of being a woman in the trades can make such a difference.
Supporting Women Through Every Stage of Their Apprenticeship
No apprentice should feel like they have to figure everything out on their own.
BUSY Sisters provides free mentoring and support for women in apprenticeships and traineeships, helping them navigate both everyday challenges and major life changes throughout their careers.
Whether it’s relocating for work, building confidence in a male-dominated workplace, managing apprenticeship paperwork, understanding processes like suspending and restarting an apprenticeship during maternity leave, or simply having someone to talk to who understands the journey, BUSY Sisters is there every step of the way.
Sometimes, having someone in your corner can be the difference between leaving the industry and continuing towards qualification.
Your Trade Career Doesn’t Have to End
Pregnancy doesn’t have to mean the end of an apprenticeship or a career in the trades.
With supportive employers, thoughtful workplace planning and access to mentoring, women can continue building successful careers while also embracing parenthood.
For employers, supporting women through these milestones helps retain skilled apprentices and strengthens a more diverse workforce.
For apprentices, it means knowing that one life milestone doesn’t have to come at the expense of another.
If you’re a woman currently completing an apprenticeship or traineeship and would like support navigating your journey, the BUSY Sisters mentoring program is here to help. Whether you’re facing challenges in the workplace, looking for guidance or preparing for a major life change like pregnancy or maternity leave, you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more about the free mentoring program at www.busysisters.com.au
Isabella was provided support from her employer and BUSY Sisters to manage her automotive apprenticeship through pregnancy. (photo credit: Motor Trader magazine)