Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Two of the scholarship recipients: Daisy Goodwin and Rachel Waterworth.
Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) and Brighte have announced three recipients of their Brighte Pathways: Women in Sustainable Energy scholarships.
The scholarships aim to support the growth of the ACT’s sustainable energy sector, address skills shortages and give young women pathways to success in what can be a heavily male-dominated industry.
Each scholarship is for a woman who has demonstrated commitment to the industry and is valued at $2250.
They are available to women studying full- or part-time, enrolling or intending to enrol in any of the following courses:
- Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology
- Certificate III in Electro-technology Electrician · Battery Storage Systems · Grid Connected Photovoltaic Power Systems
- Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Certificate III in Electronics and Communications
- Training in Insulation Installation.
Christine Robertson, Interim Chief Executive Officer of CIT, said the program underpins the Institute’s commitment to fostering gender diversity and sustainability in the renewable energy sector.
“Through this partnership, we are empowering women to pursue careers in renewable energy and contributing to the growth and innovation of the industry. We are also addressing the skills shortages prevalent in electrification industries,” she said.
Barriers to becoming a trade professional include lack of exposure and experience to trade vocations and previous stereotypes of gender-associated work.
“The scholarship funds can be used to cover student fees and purchase recommended equipment for their studies. Additionally, Brighte will cover the Solar Accreditation Australia costs for eligible female CIT students awarded financial scholarships,” Christine said.
Brighte Founder and CEO Katherine McConnell said we are facing an industry shortage of tradespeople needed to help Australia hit its renewable energy targets.
“Through our partnership with CIT, we are proud to support the development of our apprentices and create opportunities for these women to thrive in this dynamic and rapidly growing industry.
“It is so important for us to do our part to ensure that the training pathways are there for young women to enter the industry and help us achieve the growth needed to ensure Australia’s sustainable future,” she said.
Brighte is the exclusive administrator for the ACT Government’s Sustainable Household Scheme (SHS) as well as the accompanying Solar for Apartments scheme.
Over the past two years, more than 18,500 installations have been completed with the scheme generating more than 300 GWh of energy.
CIT will offer more renewable energy scholarships in 2024 to encourage the uptake of renewable energy training.
Find out more on the CIT website.
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