The WA government has launched a new campaign inviting women across Western Australia to apply for its Women in Trades Scholarship Program, aimed at increasing the number of women entering high-demand, well-paying trade and technical careers.
The $2 million initiative will provide 100 scholarships in 2026, valued at $5,000 each, across the state’s five TAFE colleges — including regional areas.
In total, the program will fund up to 400 placements over four years.
The scholarships are part of the government’s ongoing effort to build a skilled, diverse and productive workforce by encouraging women into fields where they have historically been underrepresented, such as building and construction, engineering, manufacturing, clean energy, and mining.
Under the program, scholarship recipients can use the payment to help cover essential education and training costs, including course fees, learning resources, tools, protective workwear, licences, transport, accommodation and childcare.
Participants will also have access to additional mentoring and support services to help them complete their qualifications and transition confidently into employment.
Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to providing fair and affordable access to training opportunities for everyone in the state.
She said the scholarships will help women gain the right skills to take advantage of strong job prospects in growing sectors.
Women’s Interests Minister Simone McGurk said tackling outdated gender stereotypes remains essential to growing women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated fields. She emphasised that financial support can make a real difference for women looking to retrain or start apprenticeships.
The Women in Trades Scholarship Program will be promoted across social media, streaming platforms and radio, following the success of the government’s You Can Make It Here campaign.
That earlier initiative showcased the diverse career pathways available through more than 250 fee-free and low-fee TAFE courses throughout Western Australia.
Women currently make up less than a quarter of the workforce in many trade and technical occupations.
Government officials say widening access to vocational training is an important step toward improving economic equality and ensuring that WA industries have the skilled workers they need to support future growth.
Applications for the 2026 scholarships are now open across all five WA TAFEs.
