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    FUNDING WIN: Women’s Health Grampians Act on Site consultant Katja Fiedler and See What You Can Be project co-ordinator Ange van den Berg celebrate the funding win to further the two programs.

Women's Health Grampians building on opportunities

By Colin MacGillivray
Women’s Health Grampians is one of 10 organisations across Victoria to share in a $1.3 million State Government program aimed at helping the male-dominated energy and manufacturing sectors attract and retain women.
The organisation received $100,000 through the Women in Energy and Manufacturing program to help women take up trades in the Wimmera.
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins said inflexible working arrangements, a lack of paid parental leave, gender discrimination, sexism and sexual harassment were among barriers preventing women from entering the energy and manufacturing industries, leading to workforce under-
representation.
Women’s Health Grampians, WHG, chief executive Marianne Hendron said the money would help fund two programs – Act on Site, a workplace culture change program focused on recruitment policies and support for women; and See What You Can Be, which addresses learning, education and apprenticeship pathways for women into male-dominated industries.
Ms Hendron said both programs were evaluated after being implemented by several businesses in the Grampians region in recent years, with participants reporting good outcomes for workplace culture and increased recruitment of women into non-traditional roles.
“We are delighted to continue our vital work with majority male businesses, this time with a focus on the Wimmera region,” she said. “Act on Site is a great development opportunity for manufacturing and energy businesses who are aiming to become an employer of choice for all genders.



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“Together, we can create respectful, inclusive and productive workplaces, and we can show young women the various career pathways in manufacturing and energy that are open to them.”
Act on Site consultant Katja Fiedler said WHG had already received expressions of interest from Wimmera businesses keen to diversify their workforces.
“This funding allows us to engage with motivated regional employers and, in the medium to long term, will give the Wimmera’s young people more options and opportunities for staying in the region,” she said.
Ms Hutchins said the Women in Energy and Manufacturing funding program was part of a State Government effort to address recommendations from the 2022 Inquiry into economic equity for Victorian women, which centred on attracting, recruiting and retaining women in majority-men industries.
“Supporting women to enter, stay and progress in energy and manufacturing careers is a win, win situation for women and Victoria’s industry employers,” she said.
“These grants support better economic outcomes for women, help organisations address skills shortages in some of Victoria’s strongest growth sectors and contribute to driving greater gender equality across the state.”

The entire June 19, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire June 19, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!