Polly Britten: 2023 Churchill Fellow & Women in Trades Advocate

Take a break, we’re on Smoko! This week we sit down with 2023 Churchill Fellow Polly Britten, a woman in trades advocate. Polly speaks to her involvement in the NextGen Tradies - Try a Trade Program, as well as her transformative research on gender equity in skilled trades education.

Polly’s study, aimed to highlight how we can create a more inclusive and empowering future for young people in non-traditional careers. Her study highlights key areas for growth, including the need for earlier exposure to trades careers, better representation of women and non-binary professionals in leadership roles, and a shift in outdated perceptions surrounding skilled trades.

She offers clear, actionable solutions. From integrating trades education into school curriculums at an earlier age to encouraging mentorship programs and community partnerships, her recommendations are both practical and inspiring. She paints an optimistic picture of an industry ready to embrace change, with data-driven strategies that can make a lasting difference.

Polly reminds us that while change takes effort, it’s achievable—and it starts with small, intentional steps from educators, policymakers, and industry leaders alike.

Polly Britten:

www.linkedin.com/in/polly-britten-79160570/

Polly’s Study:

www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellow/polly-britten-vic-2023/

NextGen Tradies Program
www.highlandsllen.org

Organizations Mentioned in the Podcast:

Apprenticeship Support Australia

apprenticeshipsupport.com.au

@apprenticeshipsupportaustralia

Women's Health Grampians

whg.org.au

@womenshealthgrampians

BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology)

bcit.ca

@britishcolumbiaiit

Girls’ Day (Germany)

girls-day.de

@girlsday_de

Build A Dream (Canada)

webuildadream.com

@webuildadream


Jill Of All Trades (Canada)

jillofalltrades.college

@jillofalltrades


Boss Ladies (Denmark)

boss-ladies.dk

@bossladiesdk

The Smoko Podcast is sponsored by Peggy Workwear: workwear designed by women, for women. From the shop floor to the boardroom, Peggy Workwear creates workwear which fits and functions for your everyday. Whatever that may be! After all, we've been in your boots.

www.peggyworkwear.ca