On this page:
Breaking Barriers: Women in Trades and Tech
Industry: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Construction and Digital and Technology
Location: National
Lead: Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union
This project has 2 key initiatives: Breaking Barriers in Industry and Breaking Barriers in Training.
The industry initiative partners with companies, with the support of community organisations, to improve flexibility, workplace culture and gender equity in workplaces, reaching over 30,000 workers through the development, piloting and delivery of tailored trainings and action plans.
The Training initiative collaborates with TAFEs, Group Training Organisations (GTOs) and industry to deliver flexible, co-designed pathways for women into apprenticeships and technical roles.
Partners: The Australian Industry Group, Alstom Transport Australia, ARA Manufacture Pty Ltd, Asian Women at Work Inc, Bega Dairy and Drinks Services Pty Ltd, Bendigo Kangan Institute, CDC Victoria Pty Ltd, Central Highlands Group Training Incorporated, First Person Consulting Pty Ltd, Migrant Workers Centre Limited, South Metropolitan TAFE, TAFE Queensland, Technical and Further Education Commission, Thales Australia Limited, Tradeswomen Australia Foundation Ltd, UGL Engineering Pty Ltd, Victorian Trades Hall Council, Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd & Womens Health in the North Inc.
Driving Gender Equity: Strengthening GTOs to Build Women's Careers
Industry: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy and Construction
Location: National
Lead: Group Training Australia Ltd
This project empowers Group Training Organisations (GTOs) to drive change in male-dominated trades like civil construction, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing by addressing barriers for women.
A Gender Equality Action Plan, informed by policy analysis, will guide gender-focused training for GTO leaders and field officers. It will also establish a national women's peer network, connecting female apprentices to share experiences, access mentorship, and address challenges in a safe, supportive space.
These professionally facilitated networks will foster discussion, guidance, and collaboration to support women’s success in priority industries.
Partners: Australian Workers Union, Bendigo Kangan Institute, ECA Training Pty Limited, HVTC Pty Ltd, MEGT (Australia) Ltd & Women in Adult and Vocational Education.
FemTech - Building Women’s Careers as Digital & Tech Professionals
Industry: Advanced Manufacturing, Digital and Tech
Location: VIC, QLD & NSW
Lead: The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia (Professionals Australia)
FemTech directly addresses systemic barriers preventing women from entering and succeeding in Industry 4.0 careers through 4 interconnected components that create a talent pipeline and opportunities for transformative change for gender equality.
Professionals Australia will lead the FemTech partnership to deliver these 4 components, including:
- Recruitment industry inclusion campaigns for girls and adult women in the tech industry.
- Educating women-only cohorts of Autonomous & Applied Technologies VET courses.
- Supporting career-seekers through community connections and mentoring.
- Working with employers and employees to address gendered violence in workplaces and promoting leadership and professional growth to support the next generation of women leaders.
Partners: Agenda Media Pty Ltd, Gender Lens Australia Pty Ltd, Girl Geek Academy Pty Ltd, Koorie Women Mean Business Incorporated, TAFE Queensland & Telstra Foundation Ltd.