How to Get Into the Trades as a Woman: Apprenticeships, Representation & Skilled Trades Careers w/ Judaline Cassidy

How to Get Into the Trades as a Woman: Apprenticeships, Representation & Skilled Trades Careers w/ Judaline Cassidy

Author: Andrew Brown May 28, 2025 Duration: 36:39

Want to join the skilled trades as a woman? Judaline Cassidy shares how to start, find support, and thrive in a trades career, from plumbing to advocacy.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with master plumber and trades advocate Judaline Cassidy, founder of Tools and Tiaras, to talk about how women can break into the skilled trades. They dive into the reality of being a female plumber, how trades careers for girls are growing, the power of social media, and how to navigate the path through skilled trades apprenticeships.

If you're looking to join a fulfilling career in construction, carpentry, HVAC, or plumbing, this episode offers real stories and tactical advice from someone who’s lived it.

IN THIS EPISODE:

● (00:03:15) – How Judaline broke into plumbing and proved herself on the jobsite

● (00:08:47) – Why she picked plumbing over electrical and never looked back

● (00:17:33) – Social media’s role in promoting women in skilled trades

● (00:24:50) – How the Tools and Tiaras program empowers girls to explore trades careers

● (00:35:20) – The challenges of being a female plumber on commercial job sites

● (00:49:10) – What girls need to know before starting a skilled trades apprenticeship

Key Takeaways:

● Seeing a female plumber in action can shift a young girl’s entire career path.

● The Tools and Tiaras program introduces trades careers to girls through hands-on learning.

● Union-based skilled trades apprenticeships offer equal pay, benefits, and career longevity.

● Women in skilled trades must prove themselves repeatedly, but change is happening.

About the Guest:

Judaline Cassidy is a union plumber, public speaker, and founder of Tools and Tiaras, a nonprofit that introduces young girls to the trades industry through monthly workshops and summer camps. A longtime advocate for women in skilled trades, Judaline’s mission is to empower girls with tools and the confidence to use them. Her story spans countries, decades, and ceilings shattered, all with a wrench in hand.

Keywords :

Women in Skilled Trades, Female Plumbers, Trades Career for Girls, Tools and Tiaras Program, Skilled Trades Apprenticeship

Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Andrew Brown, Judaline Cassidy, Toolfetch, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Creativity, Tradespeople, Advocacy, Trades Careers, Industry Experts, Contractors, Education, Skilled Trades Advisory Council

Resource Links:

Keywords :

Website: https://www.judaline.com/

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judaline-cassidy-b1570021/

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.


There's a quiet revolution happening in the workforce, one built on the sound of a hammer, the hum of a saw, and the satisfaction of a job done with your own hands. The Lost Art Of the Skilled Trades is a conversation about that shift, guided by Andrew Brown. This isn't just a technical manual; it's a deep exploration of the craft, business, and profound personal fulfillment found in skilled trades. Andrew draws from his own journey through hands-on work and entrepreneurship to frame discussions that are as much about building a life as they are about building things. Each episode connects the dots between practical skill, viable career paths, and the entrepreneurial mindset needed to thrive independently. You'll hear from seasoned professionals who share their hard-won wisdom, alongside discussions on navigating the business side of trades, from client relations to financial stability. The goal is to elevate the conversation around these essential careers, moving beyond stereotypes to highlight the creativity, critical thinking, and dignity inherent in skilled work. Tune into this podcast for honest stories, actionable advice, and a renewed appreciation for the foundational crafts that shape our world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 90

The Lost Art Of the Skilled Trades
Podcast Episodes
What the Trades Don't See (But We Do) | Aaron Witt, BuildWitt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:54
What the Trades Don't See (But We Do) | Aaron Witt, BuildWittAaron Witt of BuildWitt has visited job sites on 5 continents. His take: the trades' biggest problem isn't negative perception — it's invisibility.Most people…
What Happens After 30 Years in the Trades? | Herb Sargent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:42
What if the real workforce problem isn't recruiting — it's that we're handing young people tools before we've taught them how to live? Herb Sargent, recently retired CEO and Board Chair of Sargent Corporation, has spent…
300,000 Welders Short and It's Getting Worse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:01
The welder shortage has never improved in 30 years. Kris Scherm of ESAB explains why — and what it will take to fix the pipeline.When Kris Scherm entered the welding industry in the nineties, the American Welding Society…
Sarah Stork Started Welding at 32… Now She Builds Steel Sculptures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:21
Welder and metal artist Sarah Stork went from farm chores to SkillsUSA national champion — and built a thriving sculpture business on her own terms.When the guys on her SkillsUSA team laughed her off on the spot, Sarah d…
Why the Best Tradesmen Never Cut Corners with John Henderson of ESAB [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:52
Brazing best practices, nitrogen purge brazing, and air fuel vs oxy fuel system decisions all reveal the same principle: the best tradesmen never cut corners.Host Andrew Brown sits down with John Henderson, Sales Directo…
Why Some People Succeed in the Trades — And Others Don’t [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:14
Skilled trades careers offer another path. Tony Bertolino explains plumbing apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and why apprenticeships aren’t “less than” college.Host Andrew Brown sits down with fourth-generation plum…