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- Riverina apprentice electrician Katelyn Mills is breaking the mould
Media Release
TAFE NSW Leeton | 19 October 2026
Riverina apprentice electrician Katelyn Mills is breaking the mould
‘I want to show other young women that you don’t have to sacrifice your femininity to pursue a trade.’
Katelyn Mills, TAFE NSW Leeton electrical student
TAFE NSW is helping meet the Riverina’s need for more electricians. More women are choosing careers in the trade. One of them is Katelyn Mills, a fourth-year apprentice electrician with Casella Wines. At 23, she is breaking stereotypes in two very different fields.
Katelyn helps keep the winery running as an electrical automation apprentice. Outside work, she competes in beauty pageants. She was a national finalist in Miss World Australia in 2025. Katelyn is also representing NSW in Miss Grand Australia this year.
Although her dad and aunty are electricians, Katelyn expected to go to university. That changed during the COVID-19 lockdowns. She did not enjoy spending long hours behind a laptop at school. She wanted more practical work. Work experience at JBS Feedlots helped her find a passion for electrical work.
“I found it hard being stuck behind a laptop all day. I wanted a more practical job. There’s something rewarding about working with your hands. I love seeing the results of my hard work.” Katelyn said.
“People might think it’s unusual to compete in pageants and work in a trade. I enjoy doing both. I love the balance and I love proving that old stereotypes are wrong. I want to show other young women that they don’t have to sacrifice their femininity to pursue a trade.”
Katelyn was one of the few women in her electrical class at TAFE NSW Leeton. She said her teachers helped her get a strong start in her career. “My TAFE NSW teachers have been very supportive. They have a lot of industry experience. It’s been great to connect with other apprentices who understand the industry” she said.
More women are choosing careers in electrical trades. The number of women working in the industry has grown strongly since 2020. This is helping change a trade that has long had low numbers of women. Women still make up a small part of the electrical workforce. Only about 3 to 4 per cent of electricians in Australia are women.
TAFE NSW Leeton teacher Pete Woodlands said more women are choosing electrical trades. He said demand for electricians remains strong as Australia adopts new energy technologies. “Electricians are helping drive major changes in Australia. This includes renewable energy, battery storage, smart technology and electrification. Demand for qualified workers remains strong,” Mr Woodlands said.
“The Certificate III in Electrotechnology gives students practical skills, knowledge and industry experience. It prepares them for careers across residential, commercial and industrial settings,” Mr Woodlands said.
Media enquiries only: Dan Johns, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.
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