The Skill Engineer Ltd. is proud to announce it has been awarded funding through the Return to Work Pathways Program established by the NSW Government to deliver Metal Matriarchs: Empowering First Nations Women in Engineering – a dynamic new initiative set to launch in July 2025.
Running over 12 months, the program will support First Nations women to re-enter the workforce in non-traditional trades. Participants will complete a Certificate II in Engineering and be guided into employment or self-employment opportunities. The program will be culturally informed through the leadership of Elders and First Nations staff, ensuring a strong community connection throughout.
Participants will gain hands-on skills by creating bespoke metalwork pieces such as outdoor furniture and sculptures in a professional engineering workshop. They will also undertake field trips, build employability skills including technology use, complete work readiness workshops, and engage in work experience placements.
The Skill Engineer Ltd. is proud to partner with InTech as the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) for Metal Matriarchs. InTech brings a strong commitment to inclusive, high-quality vocational education and has a proven track record of delivering accredited training pathways that create real career opportunities.
WISE Employment also joins the initiative as a referral partner. As a leading employment services provider on the Central Coast, WISE brings valuable local knowledge and a demonstrated commitment to supporting First Nations jobseekers. Their involvement will help ensure the program reaches women ready to re-engage with education, training, and employment pathways.
Participants will also have opportunities to set career goals, explore starting micro-businesses, build financial literacy, and connect with health and wellbeing services to support broader life outcomes. Additional certificates such as forklift training will be offered to strengthen participants’ employability.
Metal Matriarchs builds on the success of The Skill Engineer Ltd.’s Girls of Steel program (2021–2023), which saw outstanding outcomes including 10 apprenticeships, 12 full-time and self-employment outcomes, 12 part-time or casual placements, and multiple participants entering further training or returning to school to complete their HSC.
We are thrilled to continue expanding opportunities for First Nations women and can’t wait to see the achievements that will come from Metal Matriarchs.
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