Women In Trades Mentoring | Manufacturing Skills Queensland

Empowering tomorrow’s tradeswomen: Shape your career, learn new skills, overcome challenges

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 any year of their manufacturing apprenticeship.

Applications are now open for:

First to fourth year female apprentices and trainees. Apply now to be matched to a mentor.
Manufacturing school-based apprentices. Apply now to be matched to a mentor.
Individuals interested in becoming mentors, whether you have a little or lots of experience in the manufacturing industry, apply now.

Eligibility criteria apply.

About the program

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 6 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.

Women in Trades Manufacturing Toolkit

The Women in Trades Manufacturing Toolkit is a dedicated resource designed to support female apprentices and women entering Queensland’s manufacturing industry for the first time. In this male-dominated field, our toolkit provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your professional journey.

Consisting of five modules covering essential topics such as goal setting, staying connected, and mentoring; building confidence and assertiveness in a male-dominated industry; identifying and aligning personal values, building resilience, and addressing workplace harassment; achieving work-life balance and maintaining physical and mental well-being; and celebrating women’s achievements through networking, role models, and case studies. Each module includes reflection tools to help women navigate and thrive in their careers.

Start your journey with confidence and connect with a supportive community of women in manufacturing.

Start learning

Apply today

Apprentices

Are you a female manufacturing apprentice (in any year), or a manufacturing school-based apprentice? Access mentoring.

Mentors

Are you working in manufacturing and interested in becoming a mentor

Employer

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?

Eligibility for Apprentices and Trainees

To be eligible to participate, you must:

Identify as female
Be a current full-time or part-time apprentice under a training contract in the first to fourth year of a manufacturing apprenticeship, OR
Be a manufacturing school-based apprentice, OR
Be a job seeker who would like to commence a manufacturing apprenticeship, OR
Be in a manufacturing traineeship with a duration of 2 years or more in the program.
Be training in a manufacturing qualification from a relevant training package.
Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident.
Be employed and training with an eligible employer, where their everyday workplace is also Queensland.
Agree to the terms and conditions.
Additional eligibility may apply.

Want to be a mentor? We’ll support you

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

Apply to become a mentor

Consider nominating the women in your company for the program:

Receive tailored support through a free The Workplace Gender Diversity Assessment Tool which helps employers identify their current stage of gender diversity maturity and provides tailored recommendations to enhance workplace inclusion. By using the tool, organisations can foster a more inclusive culture, improve employee satisfaction, and attract a diverse talent pool.
Access resources designed to support women in non-traditional trades within your organisation
Enable your apprentices to benefit from mentoring
Provide experienced workers the chance to mentor, contributing to both their growth and the industry’s future
Improved employee performance
Facilitate the sharing of expertise from seasoned tradeswomen to apprentices
Increased retention
Advance towards creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture.

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 6 month period for each round, participants are asked to commit to the following:

Mentees are expected to attend group networking events (approximately one hour per month), engage in self-directed reflection and learning (approximately one hour per month), and have one monthly mentoring meeting with their mentor.
Mentors are expected to attend group networking events (approximately one hour per month) and have one monthly mentoring meeting with their mentee.

At the end of the 6 months, we encourage you to remain with the program with a new mentor, or if you transition from a 2^nd year apprentice to your 3^rd year, you may consider becoming a mentor.

Mentees will receive a $100 TradeMutt voucher as a thank you for joining the program. You will receive the voucher at the mid-point of the mentoring round (approximately 3 months after the launch).

Mentoring rounds

Round 1

29 July 2024 – 31 December 2024

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

Round 2

27 January 2025 – 30 June 2025

26 November 2024 | Applications open

17 January 2025 | Applications close at 5pm

27 January 2025 | Mentors and Mentee receive their match contact details and invite to the online or in person launch events.

6 February 2025 | Online launch event 4pm – 4.45pm

7 February 2025 | In-person launch event 8.15am – 9.30am at Victoria Park, Brisbane

1 April 2025 – 30 September 2025

Round 3

21 July 2025 – 31 December 2025

Round 4

19 January 2026 – 30 June 2026

What does the 6-month mentoring block look like?

Welcome call: Once your application is lodged, you’ll receive a friendly welcome call from the team at Manufacturing Skills Queensland. This is your opportunity to ask questions about the program, understand what’s involved, and ensure you’re ready to get started.
Program overview: During the call, you’ll learn more about the program’s structure and how you’ll be matched with a mentor.
Mentor matching preparation: The team will gather any additional details needed to ensure the best mentor match for your career goals and trade interests.

Mentor match: You’ll be paired with an experienced industry professional based on your trade, career aspirations, and interests.
Welcome session:
- Launch events: The program officially kicks off with a launch event tailored to your location:
  - Regionally based apprentices and mentors: You will join an online launch event to connect with others across Queensland, get familiar with the program, and receive guidance on how to maximise your mentoring experience.
  - Southeast Queensland-based apprentices and mentors: You will attend an in-person launch event in Brisbane, offering a chance to network face-to-face, meet your mentor, and build connections with the wider cohort.
- Program introduction: Learn about the structure, expectations, and key milestones of the program.
Initial goal setting: Work with your mentor to create SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals for your apprenticeship and career.

One-on-one mentor sessions: Regular, structured meetings with your mentor to discuss:
- Career development strategies.
- Building confidence and resilience in the workplace.
- Navigating workplace challenges and maintaining work-life balance.
Virtual training modules: Participate in expert-led training tailored for female apprentices in manufacturing, such as:
- Building confidence: Learn how to present yourself with assurance in the workplace.
- Leadership for early careers: Develop skills to take initiative and lead projects.
- Combating workplace challenges: Gain strategies to address bullying, harassment, and gender bias.
- Career progression pathways: Explore ways to progress within the manufacturing sector, from technical roles to leadership.
- Networking skills: Build connections that help you grow and succeed in your trade.
Connection webinars: Join interactive webinars to connect with fellow mentees and mentors, share experiences, and build a strong support network.

Final mentor meeting: Reflect on your progress, celebrate achievements, and review the goals you’ve accomplished.
Career roadmap workshop: Work with your mentor to develop a career advancement plan for the next steps in your apprenticeship and beyond.
Graduation celebration: Celebrate your completion of the program, network with industry professionals, and share your success story.

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Women In Trades Mentoring Program

Empowering tomorrow’s tradeswomen: Shape your career, learn new skills, overcome challenges