A program for supporting women to return to paid work conducted by the Community Services Directorate is to be managed by a partnerships with Ginninderry’s SPARK and Career Shop, and UnitingCare Kippax this year.
Announced by the Minister for Women, Yvette Berry, the annual program assists up to 160 women return to work with grants of $1,000.
Ms Berry said the grants were available year-round and could be put towards anything that would help the women return to work including childcare, clothing and courses.
She said that this year UnitingCare Kippax would provide grant recipients with mentoring support to increase financial independence by preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment.
Ginninderry’s training and employment initiative, SPARK is to run a series of workshops across the ACT to prepare local women to enter or return to the paid workforce.
“Through the Future Skills for Future Work grant, SPARK will continue to offer free workshops and individualised sessions to support women to gain the skills and confidence they need to get back to work,” Ms Berry said.
She said this would include advice on available vocational education options, pathways to apprenticeships, and support to take active steps towards employment.
On completion, all participants would have access to one-on-one career development support from Career Shop.
