More than 100 small businesses are expected to take part in a national program designed to support women’s careers in male-dominated industries, with a $4 million funding boost announced to expand the program.
The funding, delivered by the Albanese government for the She Means program, will help hundreds of women develop their skills while working in small businesses in industries like IT, financial services, energy and trades.
The program is run by the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), and the new funding comes after a successful pilot to extend the program for another two years.
It has a goal of supporting 120 small businesses nationally, an increase from 30 it has already supported in the pilot.
“If we want a more inclusive economy, we need to actively break down the barriers that prevent women from thriving in male dominated industries,’ Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth said this week.
“Our government is investing in practical, evidence‑based, solutions that work for small businesses and help them attract, retain and support talented women.”
She Means supports women in different ways, including by backing them to gain new qualifications, build their leadership capacity and access the right tools, networks and greater opportunities in small businesses.
The next phase of the She Means program will onboard 120 Australian small businesses into a six-month program. These businesses will receive support to implement improvements, with independent evaluation tracking progress and longer‑term outcomes.
During the pilot program, newly qualified electrician Mikayla Van Deyk, who works for Capital Home Electrical, was supported to complete air-conditioning and specialist electrical training and also received tools and equipment to support her career.
COSBOA CEO Skye Cappuccio said the program will help bring more women into small business sectors where they are underrepresented.
“This innovative program will build women’s confidence, capability and skills across the country, while providing small businesses with a practical blueprint for attracting, retaining and supporting women in the workplace,” Cappuccio said.
Rishworth congratulated COSBOA on securing the funding.
“The She Means program will support small businesses across Australia to make practical improvements that help more women enter, remain and progress in gender‑segregated industries,” Rishworth said.
Feature image: COSBOA CEO, Skye Cappuccio.