The Victorian Government has put up new money to address gender disparities in the energy and manufacturing sectors. 

The funding aims to enhance female participation and retention in the traditionally male-dominated fields through a series of targeted grants.

Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins has announced that ten organisations across Victoria will benefit from a $1.3 million grant allocation under the Women in Energy and Manufacturing program. 

The funds are intended to support initiatives that tackle barriers to women's advancement and address labour shortages crucial to Victoria's renewable energy transition.

“Barriers like inflexible working arrangements, a lack of paid parental leave, gender discrimination, sexism and sexual harassment have prevented women from entering industries including energy and manufacturing, leading to their underrepresentation in these workforces,” Hutchins says. 

Among the grant recipients, the National Electrical and Communications Association’s (NECA) education and careers arm will receive $200,000. 

The funding is intended for gender equality training for educators and to support leadership pathways for women apprentices. 

Additionally, Women’s Health in the South East is set to receive $150,000 to run the 'Nice Work If You Can Get It' campaign in partnership with Chisholm TAFE. 

This campaign aims to enhance the capacity of educators and industry teams to improve employment outcomes for women.

The Australian Workers’ Union will be given $191,400 to develop training programs for manufacturing and energy employers. 

The project will pilot culture change initiatives in partner workplaces and support more women transitioning into trade and technical roles.

This initiative marks the second round of grants in a broader $2.7 million investment aimed at boosting women's participation and equity in the manufacturing and energy sectors. 

The scheme is part of the government’s response to the Inquiry into Economic Equity for Victorian Women.

More details and a full list of grant recipients are accessible here.