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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 and Womens Health in the North Inc.
Cyber5050 – Breaking Barriers for Gender Equality in Cyber Security
Industry: Digital and Technology
Location: ACT, NSW,NT,QLD,TAS,VIC, WA
Lead: CyberCX Pty Ltd
Cyber5050 addresses the systemic barriers to women’s participation across the cyber security workforce to achieve gender parity. Comprising 6 initiatives to target the retention and attraction of women Cyber5050 will deliver:
- a survey-led evaluation of industry barriers
- access to female advancement training tailored to the cyber sector
- a Cyber Change Makers course to support male managers
- cyber fundamentals training for women nationwide
- funding for women to obtain a Certificate IV in Cyber Security, and
- dedicated support for women to participate in the CyberCX Academy.
Together these initiatives will empower women, transform workplaces, and drive greater diversity in cyber security.
Partners: ASU, Australian Women in Security Network Ltd, Canberra Institute of Technology and Future Women Pty Ltd.
FemTech - Building Women’s Careers as Digital & Tech Professionals
Industry: Digital and Tech, Advanced Manufacturing
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 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 and Telstra Foundation Ltd.
STEMpower CyberThrive: Rewriting the rules in male dominated tech
Industry: Digital and Technology
Location: WA
Lead: Women In Technology WA (Inc.)
Women in Technology WA (WiTWA) is tackling the systemic roadblocks that keep women out of cybersecurity vocational education and jobs with the CyberThrive Project. Co-designed with industry and participant input, this initiative benefits all women in the cyber employment lifecycle, from VET entry into the workplace to advancing through to leadership positions.
By partnering with TAFE, top cyber employers, and industry leaders we will uncover real stories from participants that will shape actionable tools to hack workplace barriers, build inclusive cultures, and reboot retention.
These barrier specific resources will be free to access on the STEMpower platform, paving the way for women to not just enter cybersecurity, but thrive in it.
Partners: North Metropolitan TAFE, South Metropolitan TAFE, DATA#3 Limited, Kinetic IT Pty Ltd, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University and Australian Women In Security Network Ltd.
The Next Wave: Women’s Tech Transitions
Industry: Digital and Technology
Location: NSW, ACT
Lead: Technology Council of Australia Limited
This project will create accessible pathways to increase women’s participation in the digital and technology industries by promoting mid-career transitions through VET, microcredentials, and industry-specific training.
Key activities include targeted promotional campaigns, career-switching action plans, events supporting organisations to grow more inclusive cultures and driving the adoption of technology sector specific equity, diversity and inclusion standards.
These initiatives will showcase flexible pathways into skilled roles and foster cultural change by normalising diverse career trajectories. By creating inclusive opportunities, the project will empower women to thrive in high-demand, high-skill tech careers.
Partners: National Australia Bank Limited, Nology Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd, Project F Australia Pty Ltd and Seek Limited.
EmpowerHer Pathways: See what you can be
Industry: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Construction, Digital and Technology
Location: Hunter region, NSW
Lead: Network for Educational Workplacements
You can’t be what you can’t see!
EmpowerHer Pathways will show women what they can be. We will create sustainable, gender-inclusive pathways in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, construction and digital technology.
With our training and industry partners, we will promote non-traditional career paths to women, helping them see the potential for great careers in these industries.
By addressing real and perceived gender, geographic and industry-specific barriers and establishing a mentoring network to support entry, retention and career advancement in currently male-dominated fields, we will significantly increase skilled, high-paying careers for women.
Partners: Aboriginal Advancement Alliance Pty Ltd, AGL Macquarie Pty Limited, AMPControl Limited, Gamuda Berhad, John Holland Pty Ltd, Hunter Multicultural Communities Inc, Muswellbrook Shire Council, Regional Development Australia- Hunter, Singleton Council and TAFE NSW.
Rise & Build: Empowering Women's Careers
Industry: Construction, Clean Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, Digital and Technology
Location: Riverina Murray region, NSW
Lead: Griffith Skills Training Centre
This project tackles gender and cultural barriers in construction, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital technology, creating sustainable career pathways for women.
By combining tailored training, workforce development, and recruitment solutions, it aims to break barriers, enhance diversity, and deliver lasting opportunities in the Riverina Murray region of NSW.
Partners: Workfront Pty Ltd, Education Services International Supply Group Pty Ltd, Regional Development Australia – Riverina, Proway Livestock Equipment Pty Ltd, Flip Screen Mining Pty Ltd, John Holland Group Pty Ltd, Riverina Group Training and Employment Ltd, Compact Incorporated, NSW Business Chamber Limited, CPB Contractors Pty Limited and Spotless Facility Services Pty Ltd.