Investing in Women: Job creation for women in non-traditional Trades
More than $200,000 in grants have been announced for successful applicants under the NSW Government’s Investing in Women funding program. Announcing the grants Minister for Women Pru Goward said the aim of the program is to increase the economic participation of women in NSW by providing funding to training organisations, local councils, employers, industry bodies, and non-government organisations to develop partnership projects that encourage girls and women to enter non-traditional trades.
“This program plays a pivotal role in educating and raising awareness of women in trades across NSW while simultaneously addressing skills shortages facing sectors like the automotive, hospitality and electrical industries,” Ms Goward said.
“This round’s successful applicants represent a cross-section of trades, stakeholder organisations, local council and non-government organisations, both metropolitan and regional.” 
The nine successful applicants under round three are:
1. South Coast Workplace Learning Inc.
2. Marist Youth Care
3. Master Builders Association NSW
4. Mid Coast Connect
5. South Western Sydney Institute TAFE NSW
6. Wollondilly Shire Council
7. Northern Rivers VET in Schools Consortium Inc.
8. Australian Glass and Glazing Association
9. NSW Business Chamber Limited
Ms Goward said previous successful applicants have trained women in construction, building and glazing, but the NSW Government recognises there is still a long way to go.
“While training women and girls in non-traditional roles is a key objective of Investing in Women, we are also focusing on job creation for women and retention of women in non-traditional trades,” Ms Goward said.
“These opportunities must benefit women in a way that promotes a change in workplace culture, and that is why the NSW Government is pleased to be supporting the fantastic initiatives of these successful applicants today.”
South Western Sydney Institute TAFE NSW – Women in Trade Readiness
Women in Trade Readiness will enable TAFE NSW to deliver a five-day Trade Readiness program for 60 young women considering a career in a non-traditional trade with the opportunity to develop trade entry skills in Carpentry, Plumbing, Shop-fitting, Bricklaying, Automotive, Signage, Wall and Floor Tiling, Horticulture, Butchery and Commercial Cookery, and Metal Engineering.
Wollondilly Shire Council – Opening Doors for Women
Opening Doors for Women will enable the Council to deliver a series of training workshops for 12 women that will provide them with the skills and certifications necessary to be employed in non-traditional trade roles and includes comprehensive career and training information to identify further studies and development opportunities.
Northern Rivers VET in Schools Consortium Inc. – Trading Places
Trading Places will enable the organisation to provide 20 young women in Year 10 with industry education and inspiration through positive role models, one-to-one mentoring, career pathway planning, workplace exposure and hands on training opportunities, including recruiting five or more School-Based Apprenticeship positions for young women that are in recognised non- traditional trade areas.
Australian Glass and Glazing Association – Girls in Glass
Girls in Glass will enable the organisation to work with a leading glass industry employer to develop a sustainable information and recruitment program for Year 12 female students to enter the glass industry in glazing, glass processing, and business management.
Mid Coast Connect – Girls Can Too!
Girls Can Too will enable Mid Coast Connect to utilise the trade facilities based at three TAFE campuses to deliver three information sessions and try-a-trade practical workshops to provide students with practical skills and the information necessary to enter non-traditional trade careers, including the opportunity for suitable students to participate in work-shadowing with local employers.
Master Builders Association of NSW – Women Tradies Entrepreneurships
Women Tradies Entrepreneurships will enable the organisation to provide access to career pathway information, deliver an accredited Certificate IV in Small Business Management course delivering essential skills and key competencies and provide access to mentoring, networking and potential job opportunities for girls and women in the building and construction industry.
Marist Youth Care – Women in Automotive
Women in Automotive will enable the organisation to provide an opportunity for 12 at risk young women to participate in a nationally accredited employment and training program focused on automotive competencies. The project will help these young women overcome barriers and make a successful transition into sustainable employment.
South Coast Workplace Learning Inc. – NSW South Coast Tradeswomen’s Guild
This project will enable the organisation to develop, promote and maintain online tools to enhance communication between girls, women and industry mentors through the South Coast Tradeswomen’s Guild with the objective of enhancing the retention of female Apprentices and Trainees in non-traditional trades.
NSW Business Chamber Limited – Skillsroad
This project will enable the organisation to utilise research and Skillsroad (an online portal) to develop a series of five videos, case studies, and supporting marketing and promotional material that focus exclusively on women in non-traditional trades.
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