Women are significantly under-represented in the solar energy industry and in trades more generally. Learn about how we are working toward achieving gender diversity and helping to shift long established cultural norms and stereotypes.
Our Industry Development and Technology team at Solar Victoria is committed to not just attracting women into jobs in the renewable energy sector through our Training and Workforce Development program, but also ensuring we retain them.
Career mentoring for women in solar energy
Australian Women in Solar Energy (AWISE) has created a mentorship program to support women working in various roles in the solar industry across Victoria.
With funding from Solar Victotria, its aim is to grow and retain the number of women working in solar energy by providing tailored career advice, support and networking opportunities through individual and group sessions with trained mentors.
For information about how to become involved, see Career mentoring for women in the solar energy industry.
Apprenticeships for women
We have successfully funded two-year apprenticeships to support women wanting to start a career as a solar electrician, or a mechanical services plumbing and air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic.
Apprentices under our Apprenticeships for Women initiative receive additional payments on commencement and at six-monthly intervals for the first two years of their apprenticeship, plus get additional career and professional development support.
As a result of this initiative, we are proud to now be supporting 15 women as solar electrical apprentices until December 2024, and six women as mechanical services plumbing and air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic apprentices until November 2025.
Christine Kennedy is a passionate advocate for women in the solar industry. When she heard about this initiative, she jumped at the chance to employ two solar electrical apprentices.
Workforce recruitment support for renewable energy businesses
With a separate Jobs Victoria Priority Workforce Project grant, we are also supporting the placement so far of six new recruits with a new energy business in Hawthorn via recruitment agency and delivery partner, Maxima.
Among those supported through the Jobs Victoria New Energy Project are five women, all of whom have faced barriers to securing employment. As entry-level recruits, they are now being trained to assemble and test componentry for circuit boards used for intensive solar capture.
The New Energy Jobs Project supports jobs creation, upskilling in a growth industry, and specifically women and others who have faced barriers to securing employment. Read more about this project.
Useful resources and networking events
We encourage women in solar and those considering a career in solar to reach out for support, advice and resources from established and respected organisations.
Among those committed to growing a community that encourages women to join and be successful in the solar industry are:;
- Australian Women in Solar Energy (AWISE)
- Clean Energy Council Women in Renewables
- Tradeswomen Australia
In 2024, AWISE will run a series of networking events for women working in the solar and renewable energy industry.
Please revisit our website or subscribe to our industry newsletter to be informed of events throughout the year
About our commitment
Solar Victoria is investing $11 million to deliver a comprehensive Training and Workforce Development program. Our aim is for solar industry workers to have the skills and capabilities to deliver our programs and to support growth.
Boosting training and workforce development will ensure Victoria has an ongoing supply of skilled workers to support growth in the renewable and clean energy sector – and we see women as essential to building a better industry.
More information
For general enquiries about Solar Victoria initiatives supporting women in solar, please email industrytraining@team.solar.vic.gov.au.
For information about other initiatives helping to grow Victoria’s clean energy workforce, see Training and workforce development.
Training and workforce development
We are investing $11 million to deliver a comprehensive training and workforce development package. Learn how you can upskill for free or at low-cost to help grow Victoria’s clean energy workforce.
Solar Victoria apprenticeships for women
Apprenticeships for women wishing to start a fulfilling and rewarding career as a mechanical services plumber or air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic.
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