700 women return to work or training thanks to innovative program design

FW Jobs Academy is supporting 700 more women into work or training, and to secure their economic futures. In just two years, Jobs Academy has helped hundreds of women to return to the workforce and thrive.

Helen McCabe, founder of Jobs Academy, said “Hundreds of thousands of Australian women have been locked out of the workforce because they face multiple and intersecting barriers to employment. We’re proud to be providing a program that meets women where they’re at and treats them with dignity and respect.”

Jobs Academy recognises that women are experts in their own lives and their voices should inform the support they receive. It provides the right balance of aspiration, community, education, and empowerment to achieve real results. The program works because it was designed by women, to work with women, at scale.

This ground-breaking pre-employment program is equipping women with the skills, knowledge, connections, and confidence they need to find a job, start a business or commence training. The program is fully virtual and voluntary, offering a self-paced, engaging curriculum that is proudly flexible, accessible, and inclusive.

By developing deep relationships with the public and private sector, Jobs Academy connects women directly with Australian employers looking to fill current vacancies. The program’s ‘employer partners’ are encouraged to embrace flexible working and invest in gender equality strategies, in order to access a pipeline of staff.

The National Skills Commission estimates that by 2026 Australia will need an additional 1.2 million workers. Research published by Chief Executive Women in 2022 found that boosting women’s economic participation could provide up to a million additional skilled full-time workers. 

FW Deputy Managing Director, Jamila Rizvi said “Australia has a once-in-a-generation chance to boost women’s workforce participation while also addressing chronic labour and skills shortages. Jobs Academy is capitalising on this opportunity, benefiting both women and the economy, by disrupting the traditional model of employment programs.”

“Australia boasts a highly skilled, enthusiastic female workforce which simply isn’t being utilised to the extent it could be. More women would return to work, if they were given the right support through affordable child care, flexible hours – and an extra helping hand from programs like Jobs Academy,” she said.

Innovative programs like Jobs Academy can drive gender equality outcomes, and deliver for our economy, at the same time.

Jobs Academy is supported by the Australian Government through funding under the Women’s Leadership and Development Program.

Applications for our 2024 cohort are now open for women and gender diverse people aged over 40 at jobsacademy.futurewomen.com