Almost 90 scholarships for women in non-traditional trades available to Central Regional TAFE students

A State Government initiative will see up to 89 female students at Central Regional TAFE awarded scholarships for their participation in non-traditional trades. The $5000 one-off payment is an incentive for women to enrol in courses that are typically male-dominated such as electrotechnology, carpentry and plumbing. Managing director of Central Regional TAFE Joanne Payne said the scholarships would benefit recipients long term. “There are a number of barriers to women entering male dominated areas, and this is removing one of them. It gives them that first foot in the door to meaningful careers with advantageous salary opportunities,” she said. “It’s helping ease pressure on the skill shortage, putting skilled professionals into the workforce locally.” There are 400 scholarships available across the State, and 89 available at Central Regional TAFE in Geraldton over the course of the initiative, which will last four years. The payment can be used to cover costs such as student fees, learning resources, tools, work clothes and personal protective equipment, work tickets and licences, transport, accommodation and childcare. Training Minister Simone McGurk said: “This is frustrating, because there are great careers and earning opportunities that women should have access to. “Women are under-represented in many industries in our workforce, particularly those that have long been considered male-dominated, where less than 25 per cent of the workforce are women.” Recipients will also benefit from tailored mentoring and support services to help them to complete their qualifications and successfully transition into employment in their chosen industry. Ms Payne said there was increasing involvement of women in non-traditional trades, but financial limitations could often be an obstacle that stopped girls from enrolling. Applications are now open for the Women in Non-Traditional Trades Scholarship (WiNTT), which is a $3 million investment from the Cook Government.