The Tradewomen’s Guild is a mentoring program devised to encourage female jobseekers to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Similar programs have been run in the United States but it is new to Australia.

Female and male mentors have been appointed to encourage and advise females in such fields to maintain their enthusiasm and skill.

It has been devised by South Coast Workplace Learning and funded by the NSW Department of Family and Community Services’ Women NSW. It is partnered with South Coast Women in Business and follows the success of SCWL’s Girls in Trades school-based app- renticeship program. 

It will run for the next six months.

Project officer and Tuross Head woman Amy Kovacs is delighted that 13 mentors have signed up, and two more have indicated interest.

“We only needed eight and that we have lined up nearly 15 is legendary,” she said.

“We’ve never had anything like this before.”

Miss Kovacs wants the program to be ongoing, and set in motion lasting jobs and careers. 

“The funding runs out in April, so we want it to be a program with longevity, a sustained partnership,” she said.

“People dropping out of apprenticeships have cost Australia $3.5 billion over 10 years, so we want to increase retention. Nearly 50 per cent drop out because they don’t feel supported, and that’s where we come in.”

Mentors to sign up include Kathy Overend of Batemans Bay’s Starfish Deli.

“Only 17 per cent of commercial cooks are women, as it can be a hard environment for them,” Miss Kovacs said.

There is also Moruya bricklayer and stonemason Rod Anketell, former US oil industry employee Ruby Mason, comedienne Victoria Haberly and training advisor Tracy Beesley, who will deal with sign-ups and disputes.

The mentors will be holding “inspirational workshops” at schools including Batemans Bay and Moruya high schools.