The Lollipop Ladies

Meanwhile the rare, hard-working women who are out there learning the trades are often forgotten. Greg Cole runs NuForm Steel, a steel fabrication/installation company in Victoria and says that he, like many other business owners, is crying out for apprentices and would love to employ more women – if he could find them. But he needs kids who will show up – women suffering presenteeism problems aren't an option.

I talked to one of his current apprentices, Naomi, 22, who's in the middle of her 3-4 year apprenticeship in metal fabrication. When she left school there were plenty around her, including her parents, who urged her to become a lollipop girl – because of the money.

She chose the harder road. But it annoys her seeing the lollipop girls standing around, looking at their phones… "Damn it. It drives me a little nuts seeing them." Yet she's not sorry made the tough decision to plan for her future. "It's a long-term vision."