Grants
- Indigenous Working Women's Fund
- Women in Trades grants
- External (non-Office for Women) funding sources
For information regarding Office for Women grants programs, please join our mailing list for updates.
Indigenous Working Women's Fund
The Indigenous Working Women's Fund challenged Queensland businesses to support the sustainable employment of Indigenous women in non-traditional roles. For further information, see the Indigenous Working Women's Fund Guidelines.
Congratulations to the two successful recipients of Indigenous Working Women’s Fund grants - the Central Queensland Institute of TAFE and the Wide Bay Institute of TAFE. Below are snapshot case studies about each of the projects being funded by the Indigenous Working Women’s Fund:
Central Queensland Institute of TAFE – Indigenous Women on the Move
Commencing in February 2009, this program is providing accredited TAFE training to Indigenous women in the Mackay region. It will provide them with a range of construction industry-related skills that will prepare them for entering the construction industry. The program includes industry visits, vocational placements, and mentor and counsellor support.
Wide Bay Institute of TAFE – Young Indigenous Women’s Trade Program
This full-time pre-vocational program will prepare 14 young Indigenous women for education pathways in fields including the automotive industry, engineering and construction. Training courses include first aid and general safety induction (Blue Card), as well as cultural awareness training for teachers. The program includes tailored learning plans, Indigenous mentors, visits to industry workplaces and contact with local employers.
For further information or to partake in either of the programs call (07) 3224 5834 or join our mailing list to stay in touch.
Women in Trades Grants
Women in Trades Grants assisted Queensland businesses to increase women's participation in non-traditional trades. Applications for these grants closed on Friday, 6 June 2008. Ten grants of up to $10,000 each were awarded to support projects that work towards:
- addressing barriers to women taking up traineeships/apprenticeships in non-traditional occupations
- increasing the retention of female apprentices/tradespersons in non-traditional industries
- providing opportunities for female apprentices/tradespersons to develop skills to become leaders in non-traditional trades.
Read the Minister for Women's media release of 24 July 2008 regarding projects funded under this program.
For more information, see the Women in Trades Grants Guidelines.
Below are some snapshot case studies about the ten projects being funded in 2008 by the Women in Trades Grants:
- Apprenticeships Queensland – Opening the Door for Women in Trades
- Dysart State High School - Dressed for Success
- Cairns Aviation Skills Centre - New Grounds for Women in Aviation Marketing Campaign
- Queensland Council of Unions - Union Women in Trades Forum
- Composites Australia - Women in the Fibre Composite Industry
- Queensland Resources Council - Trade Secrets - Unveiling Trades for Girls
- Australian Technical College North Brisbane - Young Women in Trades Day
- Whitsunday Development Corporation - Whitsunday Women Ready for Work
- Gladstone Area Group Apprentices Limited
Apprenticeships Queensland - Opening the Door for Women in Trades
This six-week introductory trade training program aims to assist 15 Queensland women to secure a trade apprenticeship by October 2009. Successful participants will receive 12 months of mentoring to support them into their new trade.
The program includes work experience, links to apprentice employers for work placement and an independent analysis by the University of Queensland on barriers to women's participation in trades.
Dysart State High School - Dressed for Success
A joint initiative with BMA's Norwich Park Mine, Saraji Open Cut Coal Mines and the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy, this program encourages female students from Dysart State High School to explore the mining industry. The program commenced in August 2008 and aims to increase the number of young women considering professional, para-professional and trade career and study options available in the mining industry.
Participants will attend mine excursions and forums with women working in the field. Program activities include work experience, certificate courses, mentoring, an excursion to the Queensland Mining Expo in Mackay, and an information session with parents.
Cairns Aviation Skills Centre – New grounds for women in aviation marketing campaign
This campaign aims to encourage young women, women seeking a career change and Indigenous women in Queensland to consider training and employment in the aviation industry, by raising awareness of the career choices and opportunities available.
The marketing campaign involved the production of a series of brochures to inform women about the benefits of being part of maintenance and avionics within the aviation engineering industry and to showcase the exciting opportunities available. The campaign also involves promoting attitudinal change among employers and engaging with key industry representatives.
Download the campaign brochures:
- Aviation Engineering careers for young women
- Indigenous Women in Aviation Engineering
- Changing your career to Aviation Engineering
Queensland Council of Unions – Union Women in Trades Forum
This forum aims to address barriers to women's participation and leadership in trades by enabling women working in trades to network and to establish mentoring relationships.
Report findings and recommendations arising from the Forum will be presented to Queensland Council of Union members, industry, Government and media, serving to inform workforce planning to attract and retain women, and to educate the larger community.
Composites Australia – Women in the Fibre Composite Industry
This program aims to increase awareness of the opportunities available to women in the composites industry, and increase the employment of women in the industry in Queensland. The project includes a media campaign, industry briefings, a women-only try-a-trade event, a mentoring program and links with industry employers.
Queensland Resources Council – Trade Secrets – Unveiling Trades for Girls
Commencing in October 2008, this project aimed to encourage school-aged girls to consider trade careers in mining. It enabled girls attending Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Schools to hear from young women working in the resource trades and to learn practical trade skills. Trades Secrets days were held in Brisbane, Gladstone and Emerald.
Ten scholarships, funded by the Queensland Resources Council, were made available to young women who intend to take up further study as a result of their participation in the Trade Secrets workshops.
Read the Minister's media release 'Funding encourages women into resources sector'.
Australian Technical College North Brisbane – Young Women in Trades Day
Held on 22 October 2008, the 'Young Women in Trades Day' encouraged young women to consider careers or study in traditionally male-dominated trades. It showcased trades including metalwork, engineering, cabinet-making and automotive mechanics, and enabled young women to gain hands-on trade experience. A parent information session was also held.
Whitsunday Development Corporation – Whitsunday Women Ready for Work
This training initiative, delivered in partnership with the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE during October and November 2008, assisted women in Bowen and Cannonvale to become work ready for the trade industries.
It included three half-day TAFE-accredited training courses, a three-day hand and power tools workshop, an information session with women working in trades and an on-site visit. Participants received a statement of attainment and an industry-recognised Blue Card.
Read the Minister for Women's media release: Whitsunday's women supported to meet local skills shortages.
Read TAFE Queensland’s media release: Ready for workforce.
Gladstone Area Group Apprentices Limited (two grants awarded)
Indigenous Women in Trades
This program provides TAFE-accredited training to Indigenous women of all ages and aims to prepare women for work in non-traditional occupations through a combination of tailored learning plans and relevant coursework, practical work experience, industry visits and job preparation skills.
Women in Construction
This program provides TAFE-accredited training to women of all ages and aims to prepare women for work in the construction industry through a combination of tailored learning plans and relevant coursework, practical work experience, industry visits and job preparation skills.
These two programs commenced in Gladstone in October 2008.
Further Information
For further information or to partake in any of the programs call the Office for Women on (07) 3224 5834 or join our mailing list to stay in touch.
Last updated: 20 April 2009
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