With that in mind, Great South held a Girls in Trades event this week, at which about 100 female pupils from across Southland had the opportunity to have a go with power tools, heavy machinery, tyre-changing and more.
Southland Youth Futures adviser Renata Gill said 1%-7% of trades industry roles were occupied by woman.
The shortage of workers across the country meant there was an opportunity and great pathway for women, she said.
"The event gives girls the opportunity to learn in a safe environment about all the aspects of trade [industries]. It is a place they can ask a lot of questions without feeling silly or embarrassed and be with like-minded people."
There was also a discussion panel with young women who have succeeded in their industries.
One of them was influencer "Sparky Girl" (Brooke Thompson), who has been sharing her experience as an electrician in Queenstown with more than 15,000 followers.
Ms Thompson said she had always been a girly girl but she loved a challenge, so when people told her the trade industry was for men, she decided to prove that women could do anything they wanted.
"Part of me loves to stick it to the men," she said.
"The fact that someone told me that I couldn’t or that I shouldn’t do this job just because of my gender has really put a fire underneath me to succeed.
"There were so many times I felt like giving up, but I didn’t because I not only had my success in my hands but also had the responsibility of other women who would come after me."
The Girls in Trades event inspired pupils who are thinking about joining trades.
James Hargest College year 12 pupil Emma McNaught learned how to lay a tile, something she never had done before.
"I like hands-on activities and in this industry each day seems to be a bit different."
Her schoolmate Jade Holland (16) agreed.
"Days like these are very important to learn a bit more because I am not too sure what I want to do when I leave school, so it gives me some idea what I could go into."
