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Sisters can do it for themselves, and with the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley Tradewomen’s Guild, they will have big sisters to help them guide the way.
The Tradewomen’s Guild is a mentoring program devised to encourage female jobseekers to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields while maintaining 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 apprenticeship program.
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.”
Ms 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 $3.5billion 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.”
The Tradewomen’s Guild will deliver inspirational workshops in high schools from Ulladulla to Eden from February 2015 as well as talks with key industry groups such as the Women in Business Group and Chambers of Commerce.
For more information on the Tradewomen’s Guild, contact SCWL on 4474 5134, visit www.scwl.org.au or look for the guild on Facebook.