Trade & Tech Fit helps female and gender diverse students to find new passions. It shows them rewarding pathways and well-paid careers in trades and technology.
The Victorian Government is investing $144.7 million in career education and pathways, as part of the 2026-27 State Budget. This builds on $775 million invested since 2018.
As part of Victoria’s commitment to helping young people explore future career pathways, Trade & Tech Fit will return in 2027, connecting students with exciting opportunities across trade, technology and STEM careers.
2026 expo wrap-up
Date: Tuesday 2 June to Wednesday 3 June 2026
Location: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Exhibitors: 98 exhibitors from industry, education and government with hands-on activities and competitions
Attendees: Over 3,000 female and gender diverse students from 158 schools
The expo gave female and gender diverse students a safe and welcoming space to meet tradespeople, apprentices and industry professionals. Through fun and practical exhibits, students got to explore many different career paths.
This was the most interactive and fun expo since the event began. 21 new exhibitors joined this year, bringing even more skills and career ideas to explore.
After the 2026 expo:
- 93% of students said they discovered new career ideas
- 84% of teachers said they are now more likely to suggest trade or tech careers to female and gender diverse students.
Getting involved in hands-on tasks made things more interesting and helped me understand how tech and trade work in real life.
Bring your students to the expo
Help your school's female and gender diverse students discover new skills, pathways and career options at Trade & Tech Fit.
For information about the 2027 event, please contact the event manager at school.industry.event@education.vic.gov.au.
A great opportunity to make every student feel like there is a pathway for success.
Interested in exhibiting?
Help shape the future of vocational work. Share your industry knowledge and show students the rewarding careers your field offers at the 2027 expo.
There are no fees to exhibit.
To join the 2027 event, email the event manager at school.industry.event@education.vic.gov.au for further information.
The love and admiration the presenters had for their jobs made the expo great ... all the expo needs is more passionate people like today.
Check out the highlights of the day below:
Female student taking part in bricklaying demonstration
Female student taking part in bricklaying demonstration
Female student trying out carpentry
Female student trying out carpentry
Female students testing surveying equipment
Female students testing surveying equipment
Female students wiring a house frame
Female students wiring a house frame
Female student at welding simulation
Female student at welding simulation
WorldSkills Carpentry competition at TTF 2026
WorldSkills Carpentry competition at TTF 2026
Female students learning about window frame insertion
Female students learning about window frame insertion
Female students trying out mechanics on an engine
Female students trying out mechanics on an engine
Female students using tools
Female students using tools
Female student tightening screws on car wheel
Female student tightening screws on car wheel
Female student taking carpentry measurements
Female student taking carpentry measurements
Industries in focus
Experts from trade and tech industries shared their knowledge and experience. Students discovered jobs they may have never thought about before, and learned about the pathways to get there.
Attendees tried practical activities to get a real feel for the work, including:
- Build a room – framing, window installation, wiring, plumbing and bricklaying
- Megatronic activity Truck engine mechanics
- Cow birthing and farm equipment simulators
- Creative and industrial design stations
- Food manufacturing Flight simulator
- Film and gaming design
- Painting sessions
- Make tools by creating a metal cast
Almost 100 exhibitors showed off exciting careers in industries that have traditionally been male-dominated, including:
- Building, construction, manufacturing & engineering
- Refrigeration, electrical & plumbing
- Automotive, marine, aviation & aerospace
- Solar & wind clean energy
- Foundry and mining
- Transport and logistics
- Agriculture & horticulture
- Gaming, cloud & robotics
- Civil assets management & infrastructure
- Defence, essential services & fire protection
Empowering all Victorian students to pursue their goals
The Victorian Government is rolling out reforms to build young people’s skills and ambitions. These reforms help make sure secondary school prepares students for future careers and meets the needs of the modern economy.
For more information on Senior Secondary Schooling Pathway Reform, visit Senior secondary schooling pathway reforms.
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