Women On the Tools: Thriving in Plumbing and Gas

Female trade participation across Queensland currently sits just under 5 per cent, with female plumbers only making up 2 per cent of this sector. With a skills shortage gripping Queensland, employers cannot afford to overlook female apprentices and employees.

Summer Hodge from McKenzie's Plumbing Services and Tayla Jolly from Millar's Plumbing and Gas Services, both proudly on the tools, talk to the Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) to share their experiences as thriving women in the plumbing and gas industry.

Summer Hodge: Super Mom

Summer Hodge is a busy mom of three and has concluded her five-year apprenticeship journey in November 2025 to transition into a fully trained and qualified plumber.

“I have always kept busy, enjoy being outside, and am a very hands-on person. My husband is a plumber and has always encouraged me to undertake an apprenticeship for years, but it wasn’t until COVID – where everything came to a halt, and I found myself with a lot more time. I decided it was now or never to take that leap,” she shares.

At the time, the QLD government had just introduced a ‘Fee-Free TAFE’ incentive allowing eligible Queenslanders to study priority skill sets and qualifications, providing opportunities to upskill, reskill, or start a career in high-demand industries. Summer has been able to get qualified for free as a result.

The decision wasn’t easy. With three children, including a newborn, Summer juggled family life, school runs, and TAFE commitments.

“TAFE was tough. I have to be there from 8am to 4pm, so I was paying for before and after school care for all three of my kids,” she said. “But this is where the flexibility and opportunity in trades really shine.”

While her story is a story of success, she also highlights the reality of being a woman in trades: “Across the five years of my studies, I have not encountered many female students at all. One girl started with me, took a break, and never came back. I have also seen plenty of young high school girls graduate, start their apprenticeship, and not return after break. Women bring so much value to the trade industry and I am a big believer in female education and equality.”

Tayla Jolly: Award-Winning Apprentice

26-year-old Tayla Jolly shares Summer’s passion for getting more women in the industry. She is currently a third-year plumbing apprentice returning from maternity leave, and eager to get back on the tools.

“I’d worked in hospitality since I was 14 and was craving something different and more challenging. My dad is in plumbing, so I moved from Melbourne back to Logan and worked alongside him for a year. After my first day, I came home filthy, exhausted... and ecstatic. I knew I’d found my calling,” she shares.

In 2024, Tayla was recognised as Queensland Apprentice of the Year by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), an organisation that celebrated the remarkable achievements of women and allies reshaping the construction industry. She was also a finalist at the MPAQ 2024 Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards Second Year Apprentice of the Year.

But her journey wasn’t without hurdles.

“Finding an apprenticeship was hard. I applied for around 20 roles before even landing an interview,” Tayla said. “That’s why I always encourage women interested in the industry to get started early.”

MPAQ continues to champion this mission through initiatives like the Women’s Plumbing Alliance (WPA), a network designed to support women both behind the scenes and on the tools in plumbing and gas businesses. This year, we organised four events to bring women – both on and off the tools – together in a supportive and engaging space. The WPA invites all women in the industry to get involved, helping break down barriers and build a more inclusive workforce.

Click here for more information about the WPA