Australian Govt Launches Mentoring Program to Boost Female Apprentices by 50% by 2028

• The Big Sister Advanced Mentoring Program is a new apprentice mentoring program
• The Federal Government has launched with the goal of increasing female apprentice participation by 50 percent by 2028
• Targeting women in the clean energy and construction sectors

By 2028, the Federal Government hopes to have 50 percent more female apprentices thanks to a new mentoring program called the Big Sister Advanced Mentoring Program. The program aims to address low apprenticeship completion rates among women and increase their involvement in the construction and clean energy industries in Western Australia and South Australia.

Developed in partnership with the Electrical Trades Union, the program includes a pre-apprenticeship program with female industry mentors. It also discusses the exclusion and loneliness that women frequently face in fields that have historically been dominated by men.

The program is a crucial step in the Federal Government's larger plan to close the gender gap, according to Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth. She stated, "This program reflects our commitment to breaking down barriers and providing women in trades with the support and guidance they need to succeed."

Less than 8 percent of apprentices in male-dominated trades are currently female, and apprenticeships in the energy and energy-related industries have some of the lowest female participation rates of any industry. The Building Women's Careers (BWC) program, which encourages women to pursue careers in non-traditional fields, includes the Big Sister initiative.

Significant progress has been made by Australia in boosting the proportion of working-age women. According to recent ABS Labour Force data, there was a 65,000-job increase for women, including 42,000 full-time positions. Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) President Michele O'Neil hailed the achievements, saying, "More women are now in secure work than ever before."

But she also admitted that there are still difficulties. Women continue to hold a disproportionate number of low-wage, insecure jobs. To reduce the gender disparity in employment and pay, more work needs to be done, Michele stated.