The landmark Powering Her Pathway project was launched this week against the striking backdrop of the former Hazelwood mine, and at TAFE Gippsland’s Morwell Trade Skills Centre, with more than 90 stakeholders and women in trades coming together to celebrate a bold step towards gender equity in clean energy.
The Hon Andrew Giles MP with Laura Caspari, Managing Director Renewables Australia, ENGIE, Clea Smith, CEO Tradeswomen Australia, Kit McMahon, Director TWA Board and TAFE Gippsland CEO Laura Macpherson at the former Hazelwood mine site.
Led by Tradeswomen Australia and delivered in partnership with TAFE Gippsland, ENGIE and RMIT, the pioneering initiative is designed to dismantle systemic barriers that prevent women from entering and advancing in trades and clean energy careers, while creating a sustainable framework for industry-wide change.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Andrew Giles MP, officially launched the project on 23 September, commending the collaboration between industry and education partners in driving meaningful opportunity for women at the forefront of Australia’s energy transition.
A panel of four inspiring women, including Victoria’s newly crowned Apprentice of the Year, Amber Leyshan of AGL, captivated the audience with powerful stories of resilience, innovation and leadership in industries long dominated by men. Their insights underlined the enormous value women bring to trades and clean energy, not only through their technical expertise but also through their capacity to lead, to mentor and to transform communities. The discussion left a lasting impression, demonstrating how initiatives like Powering Her Pathway are paving the way for a new generation of women to thrive and to shape the future of clean energy in Australia.
TAFE Gippsland apprentice Amber Leyshan was part of the panel at the Powering Her Pathway launch.
TAFE Gippsland CEO Laura Macpherson reinforced the organisation’s unwavering commitment to leading clean energy training during this critical time of transition, ensuring Gippsland’s workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge to seize emerging opportunities.
The project will be delivered across key energy transition sites in the region, including Morwell, Loy Yang, Yallourn and Hazelwood, embedding pathways for women to succeed and ensuring Gippsland remains at the centre of Australia’s clean energy transformation.
For more information, visit the Tradeswomen Australia website.