Leading the Way in the Trades

Building Women

Build your future

Are you ready to create, innovate, and lead? The trades offer an incredible path to a rewarding career, and we believe young women are the future of these industries. Forget outdated ideas – today's trades are dynamic, high-tech, and full of opportunities for problem-solvers, creators, and leaders.

Why start a trade straight from school?

The trades aren't just jobs; they're careers where you can:

See the difference you make

You’ll get to build and create things that people use every day.

Be your own boss someday

Lots of tradies go on to start their own businesses.

Learn by doing

You’ll learn real skills on the job and get better every day.

Earn while you learn

Start getting paid from day one – no student loan, no big debt.

Use your smarts

Trades aren’t just physical – you’ll solve problems, think on your feet, and be creative.

Join a team that’s got your back

More and more women are joining the trades. You’ll be part of an awesome, supportive network of people making a difference.

Meet our trailblazers

Real Women. Real Stories.

These young women are changing the face of the trades. Could you be next?

Tap into their stories and see how they made it happen.

Ruby

Ruby never saw trades as an option in school. But after a chance chat at Bunnings where she worked, she took a leap into painting and decorating. Now qualified through BCITO and leading others onsite.

Lucy

After trying university, Lucy found her passion in building and hasn’t looked back. From an all-girls school to construction sites, she’s now a standout apprentice, NZCB regional competition finalist, and social media voice for women in the trades.

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Lola

Lola left school at 15, unsure of what was next, then she discovered building and fell in love with it. Now thriving onsite, she’s signed up into her apprenticeship, winning awards, and breaking barriers.

Krystal

Still in school and already getting stuck in, Krystal is exploring painting and decorating through Gateway. She’s taking her first steps into the trades and showing that you don’t have to wait until you finish school to start building your future.

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Haley

Haley knew she wanted to be in the trades from the age of six. Fast-forward to today – she’s 22, a BCITO qualified plasterer, owns her own business, and is being recognised as one of the industry’s rising stars.

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Discover different trades

Discover the diverse trades that power New Zealand’s construction industry and find the pathway that’s right for you.

Start with Gateway

Gateway is an opportunity for students to give the trades a go. It’s a way of figuring out what they want to do out of school, while they’re still in school.

How apprenticeships work

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 with BCITO. We’ll help you every step of the way.