- Published:
- Monday 10 June 2024
The Allan Labor Government is powering ahead with closing gender gaps across the workforce, with grants to help the male dominated energy and manufacturing sector better attract and retain women.
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins today announced that 10 organisations in Victoria will receive a grant through the Women in Energy and Manufacturing program. The $1.3 million in grants will support initiatives that address barriers to women’s advancement, and labour shortages in Victoria’s renewable energy transition.
We know barriers like inflexible working arrangements, a lack of paid parental leave, gender discrimination, sexism and sexual harassment have prevented women entering into industries including energy and manufacturing, leading to their underrepresentation in these workforces.
Among the grant recipients, the National Electrical and Communications Association’s (NECA) education and careers arm will receive $200,000 to provide gender equality training for educators and support the leadership pathways for women apprentices.
Women’s Health in the South East will receive $150,000 in funding to run the ‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’ campaign in partnership with Chisholm TAFE, building the capacity of educators and industry teams to improve employment outcomes for women.
The Australian Workers’ Union will receive $191,400 funding for a project to develop training for manufacturing and energy employers, pilot culture change initiatives in partner workplaces and support more women to transition into trade and technical roles.
This is the second grants round as part of an overall $2.7 million investment to boost women’s participation and equity in manufacturing and energy, which forms a key part of the Labor Government’s response to the Inquiry into economic equity for Victorian Women.
For a full list of grant recipients, visit vic.gov.au/women-energy-and-manufacturing-funding-program.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins
“Supporting women to enter, stay and progress in energy and manufacturing careers is a win, win situation for women and Victoria’s industry employers.”
“These grants support better economic outcomes for women, help organisations address skills shortages in some of Victoria’s strongest growth sectors and contribute to driving greater gender equality across the state.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio
“We’re helping to increase young girls and women’s participation in energy with new initiatives that will help them advance their careers in the booming Victorian energy industry.”
“We’re also developing the Women in Energy Strategy as part of the Victorian Energy Jobs Plan to ensure that will help us to address the barriers to entering and staying in the industry.”