Program overview
The Connecting Women to Trades program offers grants to eligible organisations to deliver skills, training and career development projects that support women to pursue a career in trades.
About the grant
The NSW Government has allocated $5 million to help women get a head start in trades as part of its Connecting Women to Trades program.
The grant program aims to achieve three goals outlined in the Women in Trades Strategy 2021-2024:
- Increase the appeal of trades to raise female participation rates.
- Remove social and cultural barriers to women entering trades.
- Support women’s learning to increase their job opportunities.
Round one of the grant program is complete. Round two offers up to $5 million in grants to fund projects aimed at increasing the number of women embarking on a career in trades.
Grants of up to $300,000 are available for projects commencing in February 2023 and delivered over 14 months.
$500,000 from the grant fund will be prioritised to fund projects delivered in NSW local government areas (LGAs) affected by floods in 2022.
Eligibility
Applications will be accepted from group training organisations (GTOs), industry associations, industry training advisory bodies (ITABs), local government, not for profit organisations, registered training organisations (RTOs), trade employers, trade unions and women's networks.
To apply for a grant, an eligible organisation must:
- Be a legal entity with the capacity to contract
- Currently operate in NSW
- Be registered for GST and have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Be covered by public liability insurance
- Be financially viable
- Demonstrate partnerships across industry, community organisations and/or women’s trade advocacy networks to co-design and deliver projects
- Have the capability and capacity to deliver projects in line with the Connecting Women to Trades grant guidelines.
Application criteria
Applications for grants will be judged on:
- How the project addresses the pillars of action and desired outcomes of the Women in Trades Strategy 2021-2024
- How the Women in Trades Promising Practice Review will inform the project
- How the project uses networks to recruit and engage suitable participants
- Capability and capacity of organisation to respond to challenges and deliver a project achieving value for money
- A project proposal including the aim of the project, project scope, proposed activities, and project timeline.
Review the Connecting Women to Trades grant guidelines for more detailed application information and requirements.
Information webinar
Find out more about the Connecting Women to Trades grant round two program.
Key dates for grant applications
- 22 November 2022: Applications open for grants
- 21 December 2022, 11 pm AEST: Applications close for grants
- From 21 February 2023: Successful applicants are announced.
How to apply
To apply for a grant you need to have a SmartyGrants account. If you do not already have an account, visit the Training Services NSW SmartyGrants account registration page to create one.
Applications for Connecting Women to Trades grant round two are open:
Please allow sufficient time to complete the application and upload all necessary documents. Hard copy, incomplete or late applications will not be accepted. Applications must include sufficient information and associated supporting documentation to enable the assessment panel to adequately assess the application.
Key documents for grant applications
Frequently Asked Questions
Need to contact us?
Enquiries regarding the application process can be sent to WomeninTrades@det.nsw.edu.au. Please allow up to 48-hours for a response to your enquiry.
Funded projects from Connecting Women to Trades grant (round one)
There were 13 funded projects identified in the Connecting Women to Trades grant program (round one) conducted by Training Services NSW.
These projects engaged Smart and Skilled providers to deliver fee-free part qualifications.
They offered an introductory experience and targeted support for women considering a career in trades.
The projects will boost the number of women in trades through:
Increasing the appeal of trades
Removing cultural and societal barriers
Supporting learning to maximise vocational outcomes.
They provided targeted training (accredited and non-accredited) and career information sessions to achieve outcomes.
List of funded projects and organisations (round one)
| Organisation | Project description | Project location |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Training Company Ltd | Connecting Women to Trades-Laying the Foundation for Women in Construction will support women by providing an introductory experience in the building and construction industry. Participants will complete fundamental pre-employment courses and a career development workshop to help them obtain apprenticeships or trainee opportunities within trades. | Illawarra, Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven Capital Region and Far South Coast |
Connecting Women to Trades - Tiddas in Trades will encourage participant engagement in the construction and earth-moving industries, with a particular focus on creating opportunities for Aboriginal women. | Dubbo, for whole LGA (Dubbo Regional) which includes Wellington | |
Connecting Women to Trades - If You Can Then I Can provides a ‘hands on’ introduction to trade industries for young females. Participant support will be provided through resume assistance, supplementary skill development and confidence building activities. | Central & Northern Sydney | |
Connecting Women to Trades- Building Lady Tradies will provide women with a holistic approach to overcoming barriers to a career path in construction. Participants will gain exposure to various trade career pathways by completing workplace construction-related courses and engaging with female trade guest speakers. | Central Coast | |
Connecting Women to Trades - Career Connections will encourage women to pursue a career in the manufacturing and engineering industries. The project will engage employers to facilitate employment opportunities. | Hunter & Central Coast | |
Connecting Women to Trades - Muslim Women in Hospitality will attract CALD and vulnerable women to the hospitality industry and reduce barriers that prevent engagement with trades. The project will offer pathways to further training and employment. | Southern & South Western Sydney | |
Connecting Women to Trades - A New Approach will address skills shortages in the mining, manufacturing and construction industries. The project will be focussed on creating training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal women. | Western NSW – Gunnedah North West NSW | |
Connecting Women to Trades-Women in Power will provide women with on the job training, professional and personal development and mentoring. Participants will complete employer training courses to understand the NSW electrical and construction industry better. | Central and Northern Sydney, Southern and South Western Sydney, Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains Illawarra | |
Connecting Women to Trades - Training Rural Women in Trade Skills will create pathways for local women to become a tradesperson. Participants will gain insight into construction and carpentry industries. | Western NSW | |
Connecting Women to Trades – Fit for Change Civil Construction will attract young women to trades by offering a pre-apprenticeship program in civil construction. Participants will be inspired to pursue a career in this industry and gain a stronger understanding of career pathways. | Western Sydney and Blue Mountains Region | |
Connecting Women to Trades - Try a Trade will support women to commence a career in the civil construction and engineering industries, including opportunities to pursue local employment. | North Coast & Mid North Coast | |
Connecting Women to Trades - Tailored Training for Seaworthy Women will enhance workforce participation by making the maritime industry trades appealing and accessible. | Illawarra & South East NSW The Bega Valley, NSW | |
Connecting Women to Trades - Licenced to Build will assist young women who have been in contact with the criminal justice system or are at risk of long-term unemployment. Participants will be introduced to construction-related trades and obtain skills for future employment. | Southern & South Western Sydney Western Sydney and Blue Mountains |