Seventeen women have graduated from an innovative program that boosts female participation and retention in the construction of major infrastructure projects in regional New South Wales, including the nation-critical HumeLink transmission line.
HumeLink is one of 13 projects that received a share in $2.2 million in grant funding under Year 2 of the NSW Government Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program (IIP).
The diverse group of participants have completed seven weeks of nationally-recognised and fully-accredited training under the EmPOWERing Regional Women Program, preparing them for a range of job opportunities delivering the HumeLink East section of the clean energy project.
Related article: Transgrid empowering regional women to work on HumeLink
Transgrid’s Maryanne Graham said, “Transgrid and our delivery partners are proud to deliver this innovative pre-employment initiative, fostering greater participation by women in regional infrastructure projects and contributing to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
“We are committed to closing the gender gap as we deliver the transmission infrastructure identified as critical by the Australian and NSW Governments to support the transition to cleaner, more affordable energy generation.
“The program attracted participants from school leavers to women with life experience whose skills in other sectors can easily transfer to construction and help accelerate new careers for woman in the energy sector.”
Participants gained essential certifications in work, health and safety, traffic control, first aid, and working safely at heights and in the vicinity of electrical equipment.
The pre-employment program also provided mentoring and networking opportunities, a health and wellbeing program, resume writing, interview workshops, team building, cultural awareness, and site excursions, giving participants first-hand experience of a career in construction.
Program participant Sage Rasmussen, 19, from Yass, said the program provided her with practical training and support to help her secure an apprenticeship in the construction industry.
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“I finished Year 11 and 12 at TAFE, and it has highlighted alternative pathways for me to enter the industry,” she said.
“Balancing the male-to-female ratio will bring lots of benefits, and I feel that over time, my skills and confidence will grow, and having the support and network from this program will benefit me on any future worksite.”
The EmPOWERing Regional Women Program has been made possible through a collaboration between Transgrid, HumeLink East delivery partners ACCIONA and GenusPlus, The Umbrella Collective and a grant from the NSW Government Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program.
