The NECA Education and Careers’ Women and Their Trade program is an example of an effective program that supports mature-aged women apprentices.
NECA Education and Careers were able to do this by giving employers a wage subsidy that matches the difference between hourly rates of junior and adult apprentices.
More than 35 women were given meaningful employment through the program’s apprenticeship model. This showed the valuable contribution mature-aged women apprentices can make to the workforce.
Participants liked that the model recognised the skills they already had when they started a role.
The program was previously funded through the Apprenticeships Victoria Innovation Fund. This funding has enabled NECA Education and Careers to set up a system to help more women into the industry. Women now represent over 18% of their electrical apprenticeship workforce.
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