(Electrical teacher Belinda McLean)
Belinda emphasises the need for structural and cultural change to improve access for women.
“There are challenges in terms of flexibility in child caring, especially if they are primary caregivers. There’s a multitude of many little barriers that can build up to ‘it’s too hard’,” she said.
“We need to ensure equality in access – whether someone wants to be a tradie, a site manager, or a project lead.”
The projects driving change
· Breaking Barriers: Women in Trades and Tech
In partnership with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute will lead the delivery of four pre-employment training programs for women seeking careers in engineering and construction. Each four-week program offers foundational trade skills and insights into career pathways in fabrication and mechanical engineering.
In collaboration with Women’s Health Services, Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute will conduct a gender lens assessment of its current programs to ensure they are inclusive and responsive for female learners. Participants will benefit from experienced instructors, high-quality facilities, and dedicated support through the TAFEs’ Skills and Jobs Centres.
· Transforming Gender Equity in Clean Energy Apprenticeships
Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute are partnering with Future Energy Skills on a Victoria and Tasmania-wide project to advance women’s participation in clean energy apprenticeships. This includes participating in focus groups, piloting flexible delivery models for the Certificate III in Electrotechnology (including solar and battery electives) and helping to recruit and support at least 12 new female apprentices.
Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute will leverage expertise in clean energy training, with development of new courses focused on photovoltaic (PV) solar, battery systems and home electrification underway. These initiatives will help address critical skill shortages while enabling women to contribute meaningfully to Australia’s clean energy transition.
· Driving Gender Equity: Strengthening GTOs to Build Women's Careers
In collaboration with the National Apprenticeship Employment Network (NAEN), Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute will develop leadership and capacity-building programs for Group Training Organisation (GTO) leaders and field officers. These programs will focus on unconscious bias, workplace safety and inclusive leadership, helping to foster supportive environments for women in trades like civil construction, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
A new era for women in trades
These projects contribute to Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute’s longstanding commitment to advancing gender equality through education, workplace change, leadership development and advocacy – building a future where women in trades are the norm, not the exception.
Recent initiatives have included launching a female and gender-diverse construction course in Castlemaine and working with SheForce to develop and deliver dedicated female-only construction starter programs. The TAFEs are also an Alliance member of Empowered Women in Trades, aligning with likeminded organisations to increase gender diversity and inclusion across trades industries.
To learn more about the Building Women’s Careers Program and the full scope of projects, visit here.
Quote attributable to Bendigo Kangan Institute Chief Executive Officer Sally Curtain:
“Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute are proud to partner with industry on groundbreaking projects that open up inclusive, flexible training for women.
"We’re backing the Australian Government’s Building Women’s Careers initiative – delivering real skills and driving cultural change across key industries.
"A future-ready workforce is inclusive and diverse – we’re helping make it happen."