The Big Sister program is launched. The ETU is so proud this project is now a reality.
Congratulations to all the excellent ETU women and members for working to make this program happen. The ETU knows It is crucial we have more women in our trades as we transition to a renewable energy future. And the jobs in that future need to be good, safe, well paid-union jobs.
The Big Sister program is coming together to help make those jobs for women in the trades a reality, a program led by women for women.
The Big Sister program was launched this month at PEER in SA. Minister Amanda Rishworth, Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister Boyer, State Minister for Education, Training and Skills, and representatives from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations attended and showed their support for the program.
The energy trades provide women with meaningful, well-paid work that offer the opportunity to contribute to some of Australia’s biggest challenges.
The Big Sister: Advance Mentoring SA/WA project drives transformational change in the construction and clean energy sectors by implementing an access and retention program for apprentices, led by women for women. From 2025 to 2027, Big Sister will be in schools, workplaces and training institutes across Adelaide, Perth and regional SA and WA.
Big Sister provides ongoing support and mentorship to participants from qualified tradeswomen who work on the tools. The program is funded by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
“Big Sister is an amazing opportunity for women to begin their career in the electrical industry. Big Sister is about bringing women together and making sure they feel supported from the start and then throughout their apprenticeship and beyond.” – Gaynor Maree, Affirmative Action Officer and Executive Member, SA Branch Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union SA
The Big Sister: Advance Mentoring SA/WA project drives transformational change in the construction and clean energy sectors by implementing an access and retention program for apprentices, led by women for women. From 2025 to 2027, Big Sister will be in schools, workplaces and training institutes across Adelaide, Perth and regional SA and WA.
Big Sister provides ongoing support and mentorship to participants from qualified tradeswomen who work on the tools. The program is funded by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
“It is crucial we get more women into the energy trades and the only way we can is to get greater awareness of the opportunities and break down the barriers. Big Sister is such an important program to get more women ready for training in the energy trades. Having a trade opens up so many opportunities for an amazing career.” – Zahn Anthony, Electrical Industry Tradesperson, State Councillor SA Branch Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union SA, former ETU National Apprentice of the Year
Big Sister: Quality Skills, Career Pathways, Secure Jobs, Big Impact
Quality Skills
Big Sister provides contextualised pre-vocational courses to prepare women for apprenticeship placements. The program provides ongoing support and mentorship to participants from qualified tradeswomen who work on the tools
Career Pathways
Big Sister provides vocational counselling to 10% of secondary schools in WA and SA. The program delivers a range of events promoting and increasing the awareness about trade careers for all women
Secure Jobs
The energy trades provide women with meaningful, well-paid work. The Big Sister Program provides support for employers to build and maintain gender-inclusive, safe workplaces. And provides cultural competency audits for workplaces to ensure cultural safety is provided for First Nations apprentices who may be employed
Big Impact
Big Sister provides women with the skills needed for careers that will help drive Australia’s net zero emissions targets