This initiative is fully funded by Solar Victoria and delivered free of charge to eligible women by Australian Women in Solar Energy (AWISE).
AWISE is offering career mentoring support to women working in various roles in the solar energy industry in Victoria, including women working in installation, retail and business management.
Mentors will draw from their lived experience and valuable insights to provide mentees with tailored career advice, support and networking opportunities via one-on-one and group sessions. Mentees will receive support for up to nine months via a blended format of online and face-to-face.
The aim of this initiative is to grow and retain the number of women working in the solar energy industry. Women are significantly under-represented in the solar energy industry and in trades more generally.
Our collaboration with AWISE is one way we are helping to achieve gender diversity and shift long established cultural norms and stereotypes.
Check if you are eligible
This initiative will suit women currently working in the solar energy industry or who demonstrate a commitment to changing careers to the solar energy industry.
Women who are unsure of the direction their solar energy career could take, or how to get there, as well as women in the industry looking for new employment pathways, may especially benefit from participating in career mentoring.
Career mentorships are available to women who are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and reside in Victoria.
AWISE will give preference to women who are:
- working for a business registered with the Solar Homes Program, including women working in installation, retail and business management
- currently working in the solar energy industry or who demonstrate a commitment to changing their career to the solar energy industry.
How to apply
If you would like to participate as a mentee or mentor, please complete AWISE’s Expression of Interest form.
For mentees
Mentees will be provided some training via workbook or face-to-face, depending on numbers.
Please note that places are limited to 10-15 mentees for one-on-one mentoring.
To confirm your eligibility, AWISE will ask to provide evidence that you are:
- an Australian Citizen or permanent resident
- a Victorian resident, or resident in a border region of Victoria e.g. Albury NSW.
AWISE may also ask you for a copy of your resume.
For mentors
AWISE is seeking people from within the industry who have a wide range of experience, including in aspects of business, trade, life. You do not need to live in Victoria to be a mentor, however access to Microsoft Teams or Zoom is essential.
There are 5-10 positions available for mentors.
Mentors will be fully trained over one day and must be available to offer guidance for a period to mentees.
About AWISE
AWISE was formed in 2020 to address a gap for women to connect, support and thrive within in the solar energy industry (see Founding members). Since then, AWISE has held many successful networking events and programs such as its annual ‘Recharge Your Spark’ event and its mental health awareness program.
All board members have extensive experience in varied roles within the solar energy industry, including company directors, sales, business managers and installers. Most of its board members also sit on industry advisory bodies.
About our commitment
Solar Victoria is 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.
More information
For more information about this initiative, please email AWISE at hello@awise.com.au or go AWISE website.
For information about other training opportunities, see Training and Workforce Development.
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.
Building a better industry with women
Christine Kennedy is a passionate advocate for women in the solar industry. When she heard about our program for women, she jumped at the chance to employ Madi and Darcey.
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