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Breaking Barriers: Women in Trades and Tech
Industry: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Construction, 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 , Asian Women at Work, Bendigo Kangan Institute, CDC Victoria, Central Highlands Group Training, First Person Consulting, Migrant Workers Centre, South Metropolitan TAFE, TAFE Queensland, TAFE NSW, Thales Australia, Tradeswomen Australia Foundation, UGL Engineering, Victorian Trades Hall Council, Viva Energy Australia, Women's Health in the North, Empowered Women in Trades.
Together We RISE (Respect, Inclusion, Safety, Equity)
Industry: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Construction
Location: National
Lead: Network Group Training Australia (trading as National Apprentice Employment Network)
As Australia builds toward a stronger future, we're missing a critical piece: women represent less than 8% of apprentices in male-dominated trades, yet make up 51% of the nation’s population.
Together We RISE works to transform this by partnering with GTOs across Australia through three interconnected pillars. Starting with Gender Impact Assessments that reveal real barriers and will inform a sector-wide Gender Equality Action Plan, this project will then activate change through the RISE & Shine peer network. Featuring Hard Hat Huddles for peer support and the Voice from Site Platform, this connects women apprentices nationally while amplifying their voices with senior leaders through the reverse mentoring program. Finally, this project will build change that lasts through inclusive leadership training and cultural safety toolkits for GTOs, field officers and host employers.
Whether in construction, clean energy, or advanced manufacturing, RISE will work to ensure women experience an inclusive, safe and equitable apprenticeship journey no matter where they are, or who they are, across the country. Our goal: a 20% increase in female apprentice recruitment and retention, with 25% improvement in workplace inclusivity perceptions.
Partners: Women in Adult and Vocational Education, Australian Workers Union, Bendigo Kangan Institute, Women's Health in the SouthEast.
FemTech - Building Women’s Careers as Digital and 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 and 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, Koorie Women Mean Business, TAFE Queensland, Telstra Foundation, Work 180, CEOs for Gender Equity, RMIT.
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. This project will create sustainable, gender-inclusive pathways in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, construction and digital technology.
With leading training and industry partners, this project promotes 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, this project will significantly increase skilled, high-paying careers for women.
Partners: Aboriginal Advancement Alliance, AGL Macquarie, AMPControl, Gamuda Berhad and John Holland, Hunter Multicultural Communities, Muswellbrook Shire Council, Regional Development Australia–Hunter, Singleton Council, 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 People Solutions, Education Services International Supply Group, Regional Development Australia – Riverina, Proway Livestock Equipment, Flip Screen Mining, John Holland Group, Riverina Group Training and Employment, Compact Incorporated, NSW Business Chamber, CPB Contractors, Spotless Facility Services.
ManufactHER: Empowering Women, Transforming Advanced Manufacturing
Industry: Advanced Manufacturing
Location: Central Coast Region, NSW
Lead: Central Coast Group Training
The ManufactHER program will transform the NSW Central Coast's advanced manufacturing sector by addressing barriers to women's participation.
Led by Central Coast Group Training (CCGT) in collaboration with Central Coast Industry Connect, Coast and Country Primary Care, Protective Fencing and 5 pre-committed manufacturers, ManufactHER will pilot flexible roles, inclusive recruitment, and leadership pathways. Six more manufacturers will join after initial success.
Leveraging local partnerships, ManufactHER provides tailored support, boosts women’s skilled participation, improves workplace culture, and fosters sustainable inclusion, creating a scalable model for gender equity and potential national rollout.
Partners: Baltimore Aircoil Australia, Business NSW Central Coast, Central Coast Council, Central Coast Industry Connect, Chamberlain Group, Coast and Country Primary Care, Protective Fencing, Mars Food and Nutrition Australia, Shamrock, TAFE NSW, Vanhomes.