Year 12 students will be included for the first time in the State Government’s successful training scholarship program, which encourages women into trade and industry areas with low female participation.
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Dave Grills MLC said applications were now open for the 2017 round of the ‘Expanding career options for women’ scholarship program.
“These scholarships assist women to gain employment or broaden their career options in a wide variety of industry areas and trades, where female participation makes up less than 25 per cent of the total workforce,” Mr Grills said.
“I am pleased students completing Year 12 in 2016 are now able to apply.
“I encourage them to complete an application, as a scholarship would provide them with an opportunity to get started on their career as soon as they complete high school,” he said.
Up to 400 scholarships, over four years, to the value of $3000 each will be available to women who undertake training at Certificate II level or above in eligible qualifications. There are more than 180 qualifications to choose from.
Eligible women undertaking apprenticeships or traineeships will receive $1000, with $2000 provided as an incentive for employers and to assist with training costs.
Scholarships may be used towards a range of associated costs, such as student fees, learning resources, mentoring, coaching, accommodation, transport and childcare fees.
Mr Grills said more than 200 scholarship places had been offered since the program began. These were in areas such as engineering, building and construction, work health and safety, IT, management and horticulture.
A number of local women have previously received scholarships through the program including Jodi Bynder, of Broome.
“This program is opening doors for local women like Broome’s Jodi Bynder, who was awarded a scholarship through the second round of the program, by providing them with a more extensive range of career opportunities,” he said.
“Right across Western Australia, participants are gaining valuable skills in areas they may not have previously considered. This may be the beginning of some very rewarding careers.”
The scholarship program is supported by the Construction Training Fund. Applications for the 2017 round close on October 31, 2016. For more information, visit http://www.dtwd.wa.gov.au/dtwcorporateinfo/policiesandguidelines/Pages/Expanding-career-options-for-women.aspx
