About Us
Our Program
The BUSY Sisters mentoring program is specifically designed to support and mentor women to be successful in progressing through their non-traditional apprenticeship or traineeship.
By non-traditional, we mean any apprenticeship or traineeship pathway in a field that is ordinarily male-dominated. For example, Mechanics, Construction Trades, Engineering, Manufacturing, Agriculture and more.
The BUSY Sisters mentoring program is delivered by experienced female tradeswomen who understand the challenges that females entering non-traditional trades face.
The support program offers:
- An individualised 6-month support plan with weekly contact from your mentor
- Resources and information to help you build lifelong workplace skills.
- Connection to a community of other women entering non-traditional trades.
- Career leadership skills and ability assessment through a world-leading assessment tool, Cognisess.
Our Women In Trade Support Officers
Our BUSY Sisters have been there too, proving themselves just as capable as the boys. They now want to support other women entering a non-traditional trade!
Stephanie Gadd, Women in Trades Specialist Supports Officer
Trained as a Painter & Decorator in Denmark, Scandinavia, Stephanie (or better known as Steph) completed her Recognised Prior Learning when she moved to Brisbane Australia. Once qualified in Australia, Steph worked as a painter, eventually owning her own business. In later years she attained her bachelor’s degree in counselling.
Steph believes that all who identify as women deserve the same opportunities that men get in the workforce.
Bringing a counselling and trade background to her role, Steph understands some of the real-life obstacles that women face when working in a non-traditional trade.
“We encourage our apprentices and trainees to reach out if they are encountering difficulties early – so we can offer the support and resources to ensure they successfully complete their qualification.”
Kat Talty, Women in Automotive Trades Mentor
Kat is the Women in Automotive Trades Mentor for North Queensland. With a background in Heavy Diesel Fitting, Kat predominately worked at a mine in the Bowan Basin.
Kat is incredibly passionate about supporting women through their apprenticeships as she has first-hand experience with being an apprentice.
“Women bring so many positives to any workplace, and I am so excited to be supporting them through their apprenticeships.”
Based out of Mackay, Kat will be looking after female apprentices from Central and North Queensland.
Rachael Fisher, Women in Trades Specialist Supports Officer
Rachael completed her Certificate III in Commercial Cookery from Year 10 to 12 at TAFE, attending classes one night a week while juggling two jobs and living independently as a teen.
Despite these challenges, she earned her VCE and pursued a career in commercial kitchens, experiencing both supportive and challenging environments.
Transitioning to management and leadership for development roles in franchises, Rachael spent years mentoring employees in life skills and education, earning accolades for training and fostering partnerships with organisations. This then led her to the world of Training and Assessment and then onto the apprenticeship services space where she has worked with apprentices, trainees and industry employers to create opportunities.
“My career journey to date has fueled my passion for mentoring and supporting others, particularly women, in achieving their goals.”
Kris North, Women in Trades Specialist Supports Officer, WA
Kris brings a broad expertise in key areas such as recruitment, mentoring, interview coaching, job readiness programs, “Try a Trade” initiatives, and suicide prevention programs. Coupled with a Certificate IV in Mental Health, she is well-equipped to support individuals navigating mental health challenges, creating inclusive and empowering environments where they can thrive both personally and professionally.
Driven by a commitment to break down barriers, she strives to create meaningful opportunities for women in underrepresented fields. Her passion is in building genuine connections and fostering confidence, ensuring that each individual is encouraged to pursue their ambitions. By supporting women entering trades and other non-traditional roles, Kris aims to contribute to a future where these spaces are enriched by diversity and equal representation.
Kris’s personal and professional experiences has deepened her passion for mentoring, and she remains focused on helping others unlock their full potential.
Shannon Akers, Women in Trades Specialist Supports Officer, TAS
Shannon has a background in commercial cookery as a chef in the hospitality industry, in addition to experience in disability employment services, providing her with a unique set of knowledge and skills to mentor apprentices and employers. Her interest in human behaviour and behaviour change resulted in completing a bachelor degree in psychological science at the University of Tasmania.
Growing up in south-east Lutruwita/Tasmania has provided her with a strong appreciation for community.
Shannon is eager to support apprentices to help them create meaningful careers in our beautiful state.
Empowering apprentices to thrive in their trades and supporting employers to support those apprentices in turn will help growth in Tasmania.
Lee-Anne Lauga, Women in Trades Specialist Supports Officer
Lee-Anne’s career started in the early childhood education sector where she developed her love and passion for mentoring and guiding not just children but the staff so that they could become the best that they could be.
She then decided to take a side step into the Apprentice space where she worked as an Apprentice Program Manager looking after apprentices across Queensland Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. Through both career streams, she noticed a similarity between the two when it came to male / female dominated roles and the impact that this can have on the individuals in the workplace.
Lee-Anne is passionate about helping to bring change in the gender equality and helping to support women entering traditionally male dominated trade industries.
Kate Shapiro, Women in Trades Specialist Support Officer
Kate has always enjoyed learning about people, especially when it comes to their career interests. This interest led her to complete a Bachelor and Honours degree in Psychological Science and Research where her interest turned into a passion for wanting to help others in their careers, helping them find the right fit for them.
Her role as a mentor allows her to action her genuine passion in helping empower women in male-dominated trades, supporting and mentoring women across a variety of ages and backgrounds into the trade of their choice.
“Being able to have a genuine connection with women in these spaces is incredibly empowering and inspiring. I feel that we are changing the future for women who want to enter trades and creating opportunities and inspiration for more women to pursue the career path of their choice!”