In partnership with the Queensland Government, Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) is excited to present the Women in Trades Mentoring Program. This initiative aims to provide exceptional support to 100 female apprentices in their first or second year of their manufacturing apprenticeship.
Expressions of interest from first and second-year apprentices and individuals interested in becoming mentors for the first round are now closed.
Round two will commence in January 2025, so please submit your expression of interest and we will be in touch.
The Women in Trades Mentoring Program provides a network that supports apprentices by connecting them with more experienced individuals in the industry (females) to support them as they complete training and navigate their transition into the workforce.
Over the course of 24 months, mentees and mentors participate in online and in person activities including the one-one-one mentoring sessions, relevant workshops, networking events and the opportunity to make a community with like-minded females in the manufacturing industry.
Manufacturing Skills Queensland is funded by the Queensland Government to deliver the Women in Trades Mentoring Program.
Science-based matching
This mentoring program is especially beneficial in workplaces where female representation is limited, offering apprentices the personal guidance they might otherwise lack. Best of all, there is no cost for apprentices, mentors, or employers to participate.
Manufacturing Skills Queensland has partnered with Brancher, an innovative mentoring platform designed to connect individuals seeking guidance with experienced professionals. Brancher’s mentoring platform allows growth and development by facilitating meaningful mentor-mentee relationships through a user-friendly interface. This dynamic platform not only enhances individual growth but also cultivates a collaborative community of continuous learning and support.
Mentees and mentors who express interest are matched through the Brancher mentoring platform. Participants are matched according to their area of expertise, location, personality, learning styles and program goals.
Register your interest
Are you a first-or-second-year female manufacturing apprentice? Access mentoring.
Are you female with experience working in the manufacturing industry? Become a mentor.
Are you an employer looking to support your female apprentices by connecting them with experienced mentors, or do you have experienced female workers ready to share their knowledge as mentors?
As an apprentice mentee, you’ll be paired with a knowledgeable and experienced female mentor who understands the ins and outs of the industry. Your mentor will provide one-on-one support each month, either in person or online, to help you navigate your apprenticeship training and explore exciting career opportunities.
Exclusion criteria
As a mentor, you’ll have the rewarding opportunity to support and guide a female apprentice in the manufacturing industry.
By regularly connecting with your mentee each month, either in person or online, you’ll help her navigate her apprenticeship and career journey.
Through Brancher, the mentoring platform, you will have access to a mentoring induction – this will put your mind at ease if you are unsure of how a one-on-one session will work. There are guidelines and talking points that will help give structure to your mentoring sessions and keep each one with a difference focus. We ask both the mentor and mentee to write a short reflective diary and capture actions you both discuss – you will be able to refer to these and see your personal growth. Of course, you are free not to use these tools – you and your mentee can come up with your own unique way of structuring your monthly sessions, what you discuss if completely up to you.
Join us and make a difference in the lives of aspiring women in manufacturing while enriching your own professional journey
Empower your workforce and drive your business forward by participating in our Women in Trades Mentoring Program.
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For more information about the Women in Trades Mentoring program, or how to register as a mentee or mentor contact our Industry Engagement Manager, Diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mentees will answer a series of questions about their interests, apprenticeship, and personal background. Using this information, our algorithm matches them with a like-minded mentor. These mentors have experience in non-traditional trades and possess the understanding, expertise, and knowledge to support manufacturing apprentices in succeeding in career paths typically dominated by men.
Over the 12 (or 24) month period for each round, participants are asked to commit to the following:
Once your mentoring relationship is established, you will receive your Trademutt voucher 4-6 after the online launch event.
21 June 2024 | Applications open
16 July 2024 | Applications close at 5pm
22 July 2024 | Mentees and Mentors matched
29 July 2024 | Mentors and mentees receive calendar invite for online launch webinar
7 August 2024 | Online launch event
26 November 2024 | Applications open
17 January 2025 | Applications close at 5pm
27 January 2025 | Mentors and mentees receive calendar invite for online launch webinar
5 February 2025 | Online launch event
The Women in Trades Mentoring program is funded by the Queensland Government.