Last week, something quietly powerful happened in Gippsland, something that was cause not just for celebration, but served as a signal for real change. 
TWA’s Powering Her Pathway (PHP) program provides a road map for women interested in entering clean energy trades, starting with a 6-week FREE tailored vocational training course at TAFE Gippsland, followed by support to explore further training, land a placement, apprenticeship or job in a skilled clean energy position across the Gippsland region.
PHP is being collaboratively delivered with key partners TAFE Gippsland, RMIT and global energy leader ENGIE Aus.
Last week, graduates of the inaugural Women in Trades Clean Energy Taster Program came together with educators, industry leaders and community representatives to mark the completion of the TAFE Gippsland training program.
But this wasn’t just a graduation. It was a glimpse into the future of Australia’s clean energy workforce, one that is more inclusive, skilled and representative.
For six weeks, participants had stepped beyond traditional classroom learning. They picked up tools, worked with real equipment, and immersed themselves in scenarios that reflect the realities of the industry.
“One of the most beneficial aspects of the program was the hands-on learning… actively working with tools, equipment and real workplace scenarios,” says graduate Jasmine Wilkie. “This experience has built my confidence — not just in my skills, but in myself.”
Despite progress in gender equality, the numbers tell a clear story: women represent only around a quarter of the energy workforce, and an even smaller fraction in trade roles. That’s not a pipeline problem, it’s a participation problem.
PHP directly addresses the systemic barriers that have historically kept women out of trades: lack of exposure, limited access to training, and outdated perceptions about who “belongs” in these roles.
By creating a supportive, practical and industry-connected environment, the program is actively rewriting that narrative.
Graduates are now moving into pathways across electrotechnology and civil construction. Some are pursuing additional certifications and WorkSafe licences. Others are taking their first confident steps into industries they may never have previously considered.
These are not abstract outcomes, they are real careers, real opportunities, and real momentum. And importantly, they align with a growing demand for skilled workers in clean energy sectors, particularly in regional areas like Gippsland.
While the first cohort has graduated, the journey is far from over.
With plans already underway for a new intake later in 2026, the program is set to continue building pathways for more women to step into clean energy trades with confidence and capability.
The future of clean energy is being built right now, and thanks to programs like PHP, more women are not just part of that future, they’re helping power it.
Find out more about Powering Her Pathway here.
