NECA appoints first female engagement officer
The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has appointed its first female engagement officer, tasked with spearheading initiatives to attract more women to the electrical trades sector.
Jane Ewing’s appointment was made to help spark female participation rates and will focus on encouraging students in high schools across NSW to join NECA’s two-week Pre-Apprenticeship Programs. For Year 10 to 12 female students, it’s an opportunity to dive headfirst into the world of electrical and construction trades, gaining foundational knowledge and essential skills to kickstart a career that’s exciting, rewarding, in demand and pays well.
Jane says she attributes the higher participation rate of women to NECA’s unique programs, which prioritise flexible training, encouraging more respectful, diverse, inclusive and safe worksite standards that cater to both younger and mature-age woman apprentices.
“Today, there’s a growing recognition among electrical employees for diversity in their workforce. That’s where training organisations also come in to educate and empower women to step into this traditionally male-dominated field. It’s about listening, advocating for fair and inclusive workplaces and arming them with the knowledge to take that crucial first step, which is joining,” Jane says.
“We must dismantle barriers and pave the way for women to excel in the electrical trades sector. This includes first understanding the factors that deter women from joining in the first place and implementing programs and workplace reforms that foster their interest.”
A recent strategic review of the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System by the federal government revealed the industry’s low completion rate of apprentices and the urgent need for women to enter technical trades to bridge the skills gap.
NECA’s national female workforce currently rests at 7.9%, surpassing the national average. However, the organisation aims to increase this number further, with Jane’s appointment as a part of NECA’s call for an industry-wide reassessment to ensure women thrive in the ever-changing electrical trades industry.