Construcciones Yamaro: Celebrating apprentices powering the future of construction
For the Empowered Women in Trades team, National Apprenticeship Week Australia is always a highlight on the calendar, but 2026 felt particularly special.
By Melinda Davis, GM of Empowered Women in Trades.
This year’s National Apprenticeship Week Australia was grounded in recognition, connection and gratitude. It gave the Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) team an opportunity to celebrate the apprentices who are building the future of construction and industry.
We kicked off the week alongside the team at Swinburne in Croydon, where the energy was high and the message was simple: apprentices matter. With doughnuts, popcorn and chips on hand for morning tea (because celebrations should always include snacks), and generous giveaways from Steel Blue and DEWALT, we spent time acknowledging the commitment and effort of Swinburne’s apprentices – people who show up every day ready to learn, contribute and grow.
Apprentices are the backbone of our future workforce, with the long-term sustainability of construction, infrastructure, manufacturing and energy depending on how well we attract, support and retain them now. Every apprentice, regardless of gender, deserves to be recognised, supported and celebrated for choosing a pathway that demands resilience, grit and pride in craft. When we invest in inclusive pathways and safe, supportive environments early, we not only help apprentices start strong, but also give them the best chance to stay and progress.
Throughout the week, we had the privilege of shining a light on some exceptional individuals.
One standout was KJ, a second-year mechanical engineering (fitter) apprentice from GT & JA Jones Engineering in Dandenong. KJ is a weapon: precise, skilled and committed to mastering her trade. After previously working as a dental nurse, KJ took a leap of faith and changed careers, proving it’s never too late to back yourself. Her journey is a reminder that trades are for anyone willing to learn and have a crack.
We also celebrated Courtney, a telecommunications apprentice at Alliance SI. Courtney loves working with emerging technology and getting hands-on, two hallmarks of a rapidly growing industry that keeps Australia connected. Without apprentices like Courtney and her colleagues, our digital world simply wouldn’t function the way it does. We credit the Alliance SI team for nominating her and for backing apprentices in such a meaningful way.
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Another apprentice shout-out went to Taimeika, also from Alliance SI. Taimeika’s work supporting complex data networks requires patience, precision and attention to detail, connecting hundreds of components across thousands of cables, each one needing to be perfect. Her pride in doing a good job, every time, is exactly the mindset our industries need more of. She’s already looking ahead to completing her apprenticeship and stepping into greater responsibility, and we have no doubt she’ll get there.
In electrical, we celebrated Holly and Bonnie from Lantrak Electrical Services. Holly is in her first year, Bonnie in her fourth, with exams just around the corner. Both bring curiosity, teamwork and a love of variety to their roles. They are not just brilliant ambassadors for women in trades, but for apprentices full stop – proof that learning never stops and that attitude matters as much as aptitude.
Our final shout-out for the week was to Hayli, a third-year electrical fitter at Zinfra. Hayli came to her trade later than she would have liked and now uses her experience to encourage others to go for it regardless of age, background or other people’s opinions. Her message is one we should amplify: if you want to do a trade, do it.
National Apprenticeship Week 2026 reminded us that apprentices aren’t just learning jobs, they’re shaping industries. When we take the time to recognise them, invest in inclusive cultures and celebrate their achievements, everyone benefits. Here’s to the apprentices of today and the skilled, confident workforce of tomorrow. Let’s support our apprentices every day.
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