Business grants encourage women in trades

The Bligh Government is tackling the skills shortage and improving career paths for women in trades by providing around $100,000 in new grants for businesses.

Minister for Women Margaret Keech today announced the successful recipients of the 2008 Women in Trades Grants.

The grants have been made available to help Queensland employers increase women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Mrs Keech said the grants gave employers the chance to develop projects that would encourage and support women in trades or ‘hard hat’ careers.

“Grants of up to $10,000 have been made available to encourage businesses to address barriers facing women taking up non-traditional trades,” Mrs Keech said.

“Issues such as the leadership and retention of women in trades will be tackled thanks these grants.”

Mrs Keech said the increased representation of women in non-traditional trades or ‘hard hat’ careers would also help to address the skills shortages facing industries such as mining and construction.

“The Bligh Government is committed to increasing women’s participation in these types of industries and the Women in Trades Grants program is one of many initiatives,” she said.

“These grants will help Queensland businesses recruit and retain women in these fields.

“This is vital for expanding their business opportunities and boosting the pool of skilled workers.

The 10 projects which will be funded under the Women in Trades Grants are:

• Apprenticeships Queensland’s Opening the Door for Women in Trades;
• Dyshart State High School’s Dressed for Success;
• Cairns Aviation Skills Centre’s New Grounds for Women in Aviation Marketing Campaign;
• Queensland Council of Unions’ Union Women in Trades Forum;
• Composites Australia’s Women in the Fibre Composite Industry;
• Queensland Resources Council’s Trade Secrets - Unveiling Trades for Girls;
• Australian Technical College North Brisbane’s Young Women in Trades Day;
• Whitsunday Development Corporation’s Whitsunday Women Ready for Work; and
• Gladstone Area Group Apprentices Limited’s two projects; Indigenous Women in Trades and Women in Construction.

“I congratulate Queensland businesses on coming up with such innovative projects that will increase and support female apprentices and tradespersons in their organisations,” Mrs Keech said.

“I look forward to seeing the implementation of these initiatives; the benefits that they will bring for women in these industries, and for the industries themselves.”

For further information visit www.women.qld.gov.au or phone Women’s Infolink on 1800 177 577.

Media enquiries: Matthew Hyde (Minister’s Office) 3234 9236.