This World Plumbing Day, a female plumber is encouraging more women to take up trades, after she started a support group in Sydney to mentor newcomers to the industry.

The plumbing industry is growing, with 8,000 new plumbers needed by 2026. Currently only 1% of plumbers are women.

Teisha Sethi-Swindail graduated from TAFE NSW’s Certificate III in Plumbing at Meadowbank last year, and is now working as a plumber on sites around Sydney. At night she studies a Certificate IV Plumbing and Services, with the aim of one day starting her own renovation and bathroom building business.

“When thinking about how to get the best education in plumbing, it was a no brainer for me to study at TAFE NSW,” Ms Sethi-Swindail said.

“The course armed me with the practical skills I needed for a job I’m passionate about.

“I really valued learning from the experienced teachers at TAFE NSW who taught me different ways and skills to approach the trade and connect with their industry contacts. My experience at TAFE helped me feel confident I have the skills and understanding to be successful in plumbing.”

Ms Sethi-Swindail is now mentoring other women and non-binary tradies through a support group she started in Sydney’s inner west.

“Us In Trade is a social support group for underrepresented people in trades. I’m quite social, and I’ve seen the benefits of how talking about your career with other likeminded people can elevate your own performance,” she said.

“There’s a certain sense of confidence that comes with adapting from learning and realising your potential and how far you can go. I’m now motivated to achieve for myself, my family, and my career.

“A career in plumbing has unlocked my potential and opened a whole other world to me.”

Head teacher of plumbing at TAFE NSW Meadowbank, Luke Mowen, said while traditionally a male-dominated industry, plumbing is a valuable career path for women and non-binary people to consider.

“Only 1% of plumbers in Australia are women, and TAFE NSW is delivering a pipeline of workers to grow that figure and meet industry demand through the plumbing courses we offer,” Mr Mowen said.

“Teisha’s story is a prime example of how TAFE NSW provides the skills our students need to get the job they want, and then flourish in.

“I congratulate Teisha on her achievements, but particularly the work she’s doing to be a leader in our industry and develop connections and offer support to other female plumbers and tradies.”

Media contact: Rob Virtue, Communications Specialist, MediaRelease@tafensw.edu.au, 02 7920 5000.