Women In Defence Pathways – winning for women in our trades

CEPU SA has been leading by example. The CEPU joined with training organisation PEER, the Women’s Working Centre, BAE Systems, ASC and recruiter Mas National for the Women in Defence Pathways Program, providing training, networking opportunities, site visits, work experience, and interview opportunities.

The program’s purpose is to build women’s confidence in a male-dominated industries, provide training – including Certificate II in Electrotechnology – alongside a woman mentor with industry and advocacy experience. Project coordinator and mentor Erin Hennessy returned to CEPU SA to run the project and mentor women in defence.  

Participants in the Women in Defence Pathways program, led by CEPU SA graduated from the program this month, in SA.

The participants in the program went through a roughly six-month course to gain a Cert II in electrotechnology, with the plan for the women to move into a career in the electrical trades in the defence industry.

The program participants came to the program from varied employment backgrounds and were all looking to change their employment direction and pursue a career in the electrical trades.

The CEPU, along with program partners were committed to providing a tailored program to help the participants achieve success and ensuring the mentoring, support and direction was focused on the participants’ needs.

Nine out of thirteen starters received a Cert II Electrical qualification and are on the road toward a new career path. Congratulations to all.

As well as the Women In Defence Pathways Program, the ETU is also leading the Big Sister Program, as part of the Building Women’s Careers program funded by The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. It’s crucial we get more women into the energy trades.

The Big Sister Program is improving trade training experiences for women across SA and WA entering the energy trades.

The Big Sister: Advanced 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.

Over 2025-2028, the program will deliver training and other events in schools and workplaces across Adelaide, Perth and regional locations in SA and WA. Apprentices will be matched with women mentors in the trades to further support their careers.

Big Sister will be rolling out activities in Adelaide, Perth and regional locations under the following key pillars:
Quality Skills
Career Pathways
Secure Jobs
Big Impact

The only way to ensure we meet the target of needing over 40,000 sparkies by 2030 is to ensure we are making these trade pathways accessible to more than just 50% of the population. While also ensuring the jobs are safe, well-paid, secure and good union jobs

For more information and to register interest, visit the Big Sister website: bigsisterprogram.com.au

This article was publised on 6 July 2025.