Connecting Women to Trades Celebrating International Women’s Day

Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress

The theme for International Women’s Day 2024, "Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress," underscores the importance of ensuring economic inclusion for women and girls worldwide. This theme aligns with the priority focus of the United Nations 68th Commission on the Status of Women, which aims to examine pathways to greater economic inclusion for women.

Despite significant progress, women still face substantial obstacles to achieving equal participation in the economy. Without equal access to education, employment pathways, financial services, and literacy, achieving gender equality remains a daunting task.

The Connecting Women to Trades program aligns perfectly with the theme of International Women’s Day 2024, "Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress." This program directly addresses the obstacles that hinder women's equal participation in the economy, particularly in non-traditional trades.

A key initiative under the Pillars of Action outlined in the NSW Trade Pathways Program Women's Strategy 2021-2024, the program takes a holistic approach to overcoming the challenges faced by women in trades. These pillars focus on increasing the appeal of trades, dismantling cultural and societal barriers, and supporting women's learning to maximize vocational outcomes.

The program's significant engagement with over 7,500 women and girls to date has also resulted in 112 women gaining ongoing fulltime employment.

What our participants are saying

CPB Contractors 2023 Women in Construction Program – CPB Contractors Pty Ltd

“I have been trying for a long time to get into the civil construction industry but face blockages whenever I apply. I am a trained nurse but realised I was not really suited to that profession. This program has given me the opportunity to enter the industry and to further my career offering additional education and financial security.”

SisterShip Careership – SisterShip Training Pty Ltd

“As a female I always wanted to enter this industry but didn’t feel like I would be able to understand and/or being there. Learning from Jackie and Noel has given me the belief that I can carve a career out for myself in the Maritime Industry.”

Breaking the Barriers - Get Handy Workshop Pty Ltd

“Completing the Women in Trades – Breaking the Barriers Program provided the first step for entry into a trade career. I developed a mind map after the course with action areas including research, job readiness, experience, networking, and training options. I would like to encourage and inspire other women to consider a trade career.”

Tasting Success – Unleashing Your Potential as a Chef – TAFE NSW

“My participation in this project has indirectly assisted me in gaining full term employment. Overall, I believe this project has given me a really good knowledge base in the workshops and the networking with the other female chefs have been invaluable. I have formed great connections with the other ladies and gained great insight from their own experiences, as the culinary world is still so male dominated.”