Powering Her Pathway Project

About the Project

Project Highlights:

• Specialised Training Environment: Establishing a tailored Vocational Education and Training (VET) framework specifically designed for women entering clean energy careers
• Direct Employment Outcomes: Training and placing 30 women in skilled clean energy positions across the Gippsland region
• Industry Transformation: Partnering with regional employers to build inclusive, equitable workplaces that support women’s long-term success
• Regional Economic Impact: Strengthening Gippsland’s position in Australia’s clean energy transition while addressing critical skills shortages

Key Deliverables:

• Skills Development: Implementing a specialised Vocational Taster program tailored to regional women’s specific needs and circumstances

• Employer Engagement: Providing hands-on facilitation for Gippsland’s clean energy organisations to identify and eliminate systemic barriers ∙

• Career Pathways: Creating clear, accessible routes for women to enter and advance in the clean energy sector

• Sustainable Framework: Building enduring partnerships between project stakeholders, national advocates, and local organisations ∙
• Scalable Model: Developing a best-practice blueprint for replication across other male-dominated industries and regions.
  
  
  

The project will operate across multiple Gippsland locations including Morwell,
Loy Yang, Yallourn, and Hazelwood.

Clea Smith, CEO of Tradeswomen Australia Group

“This landmark program represents a genuine breakthrough in addressing the persistent gender inequity in Australia’s trades and energy sectors. By creating tailored training, immediate employment opportunities and sustainable industry change, the Powering Her Pathway Project will deliver lasting benefits for women, employers, and the broader economy.
Tradeswomen Australia is committed to ensuring this project not only meets but exceeds its ambitious targets, establishing a new standard for women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated fields.”

Laura Macpherson, CEO of TAFE Gippsland

“The Powering Her Pathway Project is a transformative step forward in removing barriers for women in traditionally male-dominated industries.
In partnership with Tradeswomen Australia and ENGIE, this initiative is about more than just training. It is about reshaping the future of the clean energy workforce in Gippsland. By delivering a highly engaging and tailored vocational education framework, we are equipping women with the skills, confidence and direct employment pathways needed to thrive in this growing sector. At TAFE Gippsland, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment that supports women entering these industries and drives lasting cultural change across workplaces. This program will play a critical role in strengthening the region’s clean energy transition while ensuring economic opportunities are accessible to all.”

Helena Moloney, Senior Community Engagement Manager,
ENGIE Australia & New Zealand

“As we transition towards a net zero economy there will be a material increase
in the number of roles required to get us there – and those roles cannot continue to be dominated by men. Putting a strong focus on gender equity within the workforce and improving things like specialised training and career pathways will have a positive impact on the diversity of our workforce which we know provides increased efficiency, productivity, innovation, and improved employee engagement”