The NSW Government is proud to be the first in the states history to have achieved gender parity in Cabinet.
However, the Government also knows that there is still a long journey to gender equity across the state. In fact, the NSW Gender Equality Key Economic Indicators Index lays that out in stark numbers:
In NSW there is still a gender pay gap of 11.8 per cent, with men on average earning $1924.8 a week, while women earn $1697.0.
On average each week NSW women undertake approximately 30.3 hours of unpaid labour. This is almost double the 17.9 hours performed by men.
Despite bearing the brunt of unpaid labour, women have lower rates of paid workforce participation at 61.4 per cent, compared to males who participate at a rate of 70.4 percent.
This Year, the United Nations International Women’s Day theme is, Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.
The NSW Government is proud to mark International Women’s Day with an investment of $5.8 million for the Future Women’s Jobs Academy, to boost the job readiness, workforce participation and economic security of NSW women.
This commitment was initially made prior to the election, one year ago today on International Women’s Day 2023.
The two-year program will support 1,000 women to access the free, virtual service, delivering one to two hours of activities per week to members to build their confidence, capabilities, and connections needed to commence their job search, secure employment pathways and thrive at work.
Jobs Academy NSW will offer a range of activities for participants including:
- Future Proof webinar series
- Small group mentoring
- Jobs Connections webinars
- Opportunities Board
- Future Women Leadership Summit
- Gender diversity literacy program for employer partners
The program is particularly focused on providing access to women from communities that have lower workforce participation rates and face intersecting barriers to entering and progressing in the workforce. This includes:
- Culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) women
- Women with disability
- Women living in regional, rural, and remote areas
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait women (for whom applications will be considered first for acceptance into the program).
The program will be delivered by Australian company Future Women in partnership with the NSW Government.
Find out more about the two-year program, which opens for applications in May 2024.
Chris Minns, Premier of NSW said:
“The NSW Government understands our responsibility in continuing to invest in and work towards gender equality across NSW.
“This is an important investment, because we know equality will not just happen, we have to take action to ensure it is achieved.
“As a government we are committed to doing that.”
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:
“The NSW Government is committed to fostering economic opportunity and boosting participation and empowerment for women and girls across the state.
“I’m very excited to announce we will be funding this program, especially on International Women’s Day where we celebrate women’s achievements. It’s also important to use this day to commit and redouble our efforts to address barriers that perpetuate gender inequality.”
Founder and Managing Director of Future Women Helen McCabe said:
“Since inception we have had to sadly turn women away and this investment allows us to support an additional 1,000 women over the next two years.
“The participants will have access to our innovative pre-employment program which supports women through a range of resources including online jobs and skills fairs, coaching, resume assistance, podcasts and articles.
“But what sets this program apart is the sense of community. The participants are encouraged to support one another in the often daunting task of re-entering the workplace especially if they are older.”
