Bendigo TAFE’s first-ever female and gender-diverse construction course, Certificate II in Construction Pathways, was offered for the first time in Castlemaine this year. The response was swift and engaged – the course was overwhelmingly popular.

Over 30 women and gender-diverse people completed the course and spread the word throughout the community. It was offered again for 2026, and at least thirty people had signed up. The course was initially advertised in the same format: two days a week for nine months, when people enrolled or expressed interest.

On November 13, TAFE Bendigo announced changes, making the course three days a week for sixteen weeks instead. This was while many people were in the midst of their literacy and numeracy tests or had fully signed up.

This means that for many people who have to juggle their care responsibilities and work, three days is too much to commit to, and they can no longer undertake the course.

Bendigo TAFE has not made it clear why the changes were made mid-way through the enrolment process, and the vast majority of those who have signed up want to see it remain with the original two days a week.

Ali Greene, who had planned to take the course, said she was excited about the course.

“Having the option to learn skills and knowledge so that I could take an active role in the construction of my own home was a dream come true, especially given that it is rarely an opportunity afforded to people like me,” she said.

“As a parent and worker, I can’t do the course if the new changes are implemented. I am one of many who are feeling both disappointment and frustration at being excluded from a course that had been specifically created for people like us.”

Delphine Laboureau-Ormancey, who completed the course last year, is enthusiastic about the program and made it clear how important it is to her and other women. She sees it as critical to addressing housing stress for women. As a single and self-employed person, if the course had been offered three days a week, she would not have been able to take part.

“The backing and friendship, while learning a different set of skills and stepping out of my comfort zone, really supported me. Acquiring skills, new sets of specific and technical vocabulary, and being able to go to a hardware shop or talk to tradies with confidence is very empowering,” she said.

Delphine plans to buy an unfinished tiny house and now has the skills to finish the build herself. She was able to confidently talk with the seller and check things properly before buying it, skills Delphine said she would not have had before undertaking the course.

A Bendigo TAFE spokesperson told the Mail that they are proud to offer a construction course in Castlemaine that provides a pathway for female and gender-diverse learners into trades and will continue to do so in 2026.

“We have been considering how to make this course accessible for more students with flexibility and support to ensure successful completion,” they said.

“We are listening to feedback and in response, we are considering how to best address the concerns raised by students.”