Women are significantly under-represented in the solar energy industry and in trades more generally. Our Industry Development and Technology team at Solar Victoria is committed to not just attracting women into jobs in the renewable energy sector through our Training and Workforce Development program, but also ensuring we retain them.
Read about how we are supporting women through initiatives that include career mentoring, apprenticeships and providing businesses with recruitment support.
Career mentoring for women in solar energy
We funded Australian Women in Solar Energy (AWISE) to deliver a mentorship program to support women working in various roles in the solar industry across Victoria.
Its aim is to grow and retain the number of women working in solar energy by providing tailored career advice, support and networking opportunities for 10–15 women through individual and group sessions with trained mentors for up to 9 months.
This initiative ends in March 2025. Read more about Career mentoring for women in the solar energy industry.
Apprenticeships for women
We funded two-year apprenticeships to support women wanting to start a career as a solar electrician, or a mechanical services plumbing and air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic.
Apprentices under our Apprenticeships for Women initiative receive additional payments on commencement and at six-monthly intervals for the first two years of their apprenticeship, plus get additional career and professional development support.
We are now supporting 15 women as solar electrical apprentices until December 2024, and six women as mechanical services plumbing and air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic apprentices until November 2025.
Christine Kennedy is a passionate advocate for women in the solar industry. When she heard about this initiative, she jumped at the chance to employ two solar electrical apprentices.
Workforce recruitment support for renewable energy businesses
We are supporting the placement of 13 new female recruits in six renewable energy manufacturing businesses in Melbourne with delivery partner Maxima. All have faced barriers to securing employment.
New employees supported through this project are now working across a range of roles, from entry-level to more advanced, for a minimum of 12 months or more.
Read more about workforce recruitment support for renewable energy businesses.
Useful resources and networking events
We encourage women in solar and those considering a career in solar to reach out for support, advice and resources from established and respected organisations.
Among those committed to growing a community that encourages women to join and be successful in the solar industry are:;
- Australian Women in Solar Energy (AWISE)
- Clean Energy Council Women in Renewables
- Tradeswomen Australia
Our commitment
We are investing $11 million to deliver a comprehensive Training and Workforce Development program. Our aim is for solar industry workers to have the skills and capabilities to deliver our programs and to support growth.
Boosting training and workforce development will ensure Victoria has an ongoing supply of skilled workers to support growth in the renewable and clean energy sector – and we see women as essential to building a better industry.
Training and workforce development
We are investing $11 million to deliver a comprehensive training and workforce development package. Learn how you can upskill for free or at low-cost to help grow Victoria’s clean energy workforce.
Solar Victoria apprenticeships for women
Apprenticeships for women wishing to start a fulfilling and rewarding career as a mechanical services plumber or air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic.
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