Chelsea Whelan Female Apprentice Interview

Making History in Tasmania

MAS National strives to make apprenticeships accessible for everyone by helping to break down stereotypes around women entering trades that are traditionally dominated by men.

In 2018, MAS made history by supporting Chelsea Whelan to become the first official female apprentice bricklayer in Tasmania.

Both Chelsea's father and grandfather were in the trade, and she spent a lot of time on building sites during her childhood. After trying out a handful of other careers, Chelsea returned to her original plan at the age of 20 and began her bricklaying apprenticeship.

Humbled that her achievement has been so celebrated, Chelsea encourages other women not to let society's expectations get in the way of their dreams.

"It's pretty cool, but I am not really fazed by it - it's exactly the same as any other bloke going for the job. I like the end product a lot. I like when you finish the house you can be like, 'Man, I actually built that'."

Chelsea completed her apprenticeship at Crossin Bricklaying, where owner Andrew Crossin has been impressed with Chelsea's approach.

"It just starts with attitude and then everything will follow once you're in the right headspace," he said. "Chelsea just gets in and has a go and wants to do it."

Andrew is keen to see more women take up the trade. "I think it's a bit of an untapped resource," he said.

The days of wolf whistles are gone and there are very strict rules on sites around gender equality. ''As long as there's a women's toilet, that's the only thing that matters." says Chelsea.

Stories like Chelsea's help to inspire MAS in encouraging other women who are considering work in traditionally male-dominated industries, and to drive initiatives such as the Women's Entrepreneur Networking program.

Interview with Chelsea Whelan

Question: How does it feel to be the first official female apprentice bricklayer in Tasmania?

Chelsea Whelan: It's pretty cool, but I didn't think I would have been the first, I thought there would have been at least a couple of females signed up before me. But at least now there has been one hopefully that means it might open up opportunities for other females.


Question: How did MAS National help support you in succeeding in your chosen career?

Chelsea Whelan: MAS National helped me get all formally signed up as an apprentice and were very encouraging through the process.


Question: What inspired your passion for bricklaying?

Chelsea Whelan: Due to my Pop and Dad both being bricklayers I grew up around the industry, and because I grew up in a rural area I was always outdoors and very hands on with things and my parents always encourage me to get outdoors and give everything a go.


Question: What's a typical work-day like, for you?

Chelsea Whelan: It can vary from labouring, unloading the bricks when they are delivered, using the grinder to do cuts on the bricks, mixing up the mud and laying the bricks.


Question: What's would you say are the best and most challenging parts of your job?

Chelsea Whelan: Best – when the job is finished, getting to see the results and seeing what you have achieved for the day.

Challenging – The weather extremities of the Tasmanian weather climate, some days it can be very hot and sunny and other days it can be raining and cold.


Question: How have you personally overcome the career challenges of a traditionally male-dominated workplace?

Chelsea Whelan: Ignoring what some people say, basically ignoring the fact that it is that it is a male-dominated workplace, if I act like it is normal then others will see it as normal also.

Question: What advice do you have for young female aspiring apprentices?

Chelsea Whelan: Don't not be scared, just do it. What's the worst that can happen? Males can do female-dominated industries so females can do male-dominated industries too.


Interview by Brooke Hunter