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    TAFE NSW Orange | 15 September 2026

    Orange breaks barriers in manufacturing with first female graduates

    ’It's really nice for young women to have their first experience in the trade alongside other women. Some of the women were naturally skilled. In welding, some of the welds in our class were amazing.’

    Anniekka Davis

    Women working toward manufacturing careers were celebrated at TAFE NSW Orange, in the first graduation program opening doors to the traditionally male-dominated industry. The Breaking Barriers for Women in Manufacturing program supports women into trade careers through practical training, mentoring and industry contacts.

    Fifteen women from Orange and surrounding areas completed the five-week program, delivered by TAFE NSW and the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union.

    TAFE NSW student, Anniekka Davis, works on building a remote-controlled car. She is kneeling on the floor in a carpeted library setting with her laptop.

    The program is funded through the Australian Government's Building Women's Careers initiative. It gives women the chance to explore careers in manufacturing through a 'try a trade' experience.

    Participant Anniekka Davis said the program strengthened her commitment to returning to the manufacturing industry as a fitter and machinist. Anniekka had previously started a fitting apprenticeship and was eager to reconnect with the industry through the program.

    “This course has solidified my goal of getting back into the trade. I'm hoping it will open new opportunities and help me finish what I started a few years ago,” she said.

    "I loved that we got to try so many different aspects of manufacturing as part of this women’s program. Welding and plasma cutting were really interesting.

    She said the exposure to emerging technologies was also a highlight. "The robotics component was really fun and interesting. We each built remote-control cars, I managed to add some code so mine plays the Mario Cart theme song.

    “The teachers were incredibly supportive with helping us learn the new technology. We learned computer-aided design to draw a building block and then 3D printed the block,” she said.

    Anniekka hopes the program’s industry connections will help her find work. She said the program showed her the opportunities available in manufacturing.

    "I started my apprenticeship with Sydney Water and saw how much technology advanced in just a couple of years. It's exciting to think about what's next."

    "Manufacturing and engineering skills will always be needed. Even with robotics and automated machinery, industry will rely on people with the skills to maintain and repair that equipment."

    To support skills development and encourage more people to consider careers in manufacturing, TAFE NSW Manufacturing Centres of Excellence offers a range of fee-free microcredentials, including Maths for Manufacturing, Generative Design and Analysis, Introduction to Digital Technologies for Manufacturing, and CNC Machining courses.

    Media enquiries only: Adam Wright, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.

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