Australian Industry Trade College (AITC) student, Hannah Perkin, is proving construction isn’t just a man’s world as one of a handful of female students looking to secure apprenticeships as a carpenter.

As she wraps up her third week on the CityVillage site in Robina, Hannah has good odds at success, with 93% of all AITC students graduating with a full time apprenticeship.

“I am studying carpentry at AITC and I’m really enjoying it. I like that I am able to physically do the work whilst I’m studying,” she said.

According to AITC CEO Mark Hands “electrical is a popular trade for women and many undertake work experience in the construction industry as an option for their apprenticeship”.

Established in 2006, AITC offers training across more than 600 trades from construction to horse-breeding and aeronautical engineering.

At the Australian Industry Trade College, Year 11 and 12 students complete their senior education and start a school based apprenticeship. Whilst completing their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), the students begin a paid apprenticeship in the trade career of their choice.

The AITC works with industry to provide apprenticeships for its students, more than 1000 of whom since 2008 have been employed as, full time apprentices.

The College implements a unique curriculum which allows students to study at the College for four weeks, followed by four to eight weeks full time as an Australian school based apprentice in the real world of industry. At the completion of their two years at the AITC students will have completed up to one third of their apprenticeship.

According to the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) states that we now have a female participation rate of 16.2% in the Australian construction industry, with only 13.6% in key management positions.

Hannah is working on site at Robina Group’s CityVillage, the $200 million masterplanned community just 250 metres from Robina Town Centre.

Comprising a mix of terrace homes and apartments, CityVillage offers urban living in the heart of the city.

Terrace homes feature three bedrooms, a media room, two bathrooms and a powder room.

The homes will also include gourmet kitchens with stone bench tops, quality Italian appliances, study nooks and abundant storage spaces, along with the latest interiors and styling, in-line with cutting-edge architectural trends.

Each home is also located on freehold land, meaning there are no body corporate fees, and are connected to the NBN, providing super-fast broadband access.

CityVillage also boasts an unparalleled mix of amenities at its doorstep including Robina Town Centre, schools, Robina Hospital, Bond University and Cbus Super Stadium.

To learn more about CityVillage, visit the sales office on The Crestway in Robina.

For more information about studying at AITC visit http://www.aitc.qld.edu.au/.