Victoria’s Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins announced a further $1.3 million is now available for organisations through the Women in Energy and Manufacturing Funding Program – which supports organisations to attract, recruit and retain women and remove barriers in these historically male-dominated workforces.
“We want women of all ages, backgrounds and identities to have the careers they want – which is why programs
like this, are so important,” Hutchins said.
“Attracting, recruiting, and retaining more women in Victoria’s energy and manufacturing industries will also help
these sectors grow and thrive through a period of rapid transformation.”
“I encourage all organisations that want to help more women get the job they want in the these traditionally male-dominated industries to apply.”
The first grants round supported a range of initiatives including mentoring programs for women run by the National Association of Women in Operations through virtual group and one-on-one sessions and school awareness campaigns for solar energy careers run by Australian Women in Solar Energy.
It also supported the Women in Trades project run by the Australian Manufacturing Union, which delivered a series of trade demonstration events, employer site visits and career expos with employers such as Nestle to attract young women to exciting careers and opportunities in the manufacturing sector.
Supporting more women to pursue and excel in careers in energy and manufacturing will not only help to address gender imbalances but help address skill shortages in these industries.
Women account for just 32% of Victoria’s manufacturing sector, and 33% of the electricity, gas, water and waste services industries. The figures are even lower for women working in trades.
This program is a key part of the Labor government’s response to the Inquiry into Economic Equity for Victorian
Women.
Applications for this grant round close on 20 February.
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