ORGANISATIONS in north-western and far-western New South Wales are encouraged to apply for Return to Work Pathways Program funding being offered by the State Government.
The 2024-2025 Return to Work Pathways Program is open to organisations to fund tailored projects aimed at supporting women experiencing barriers to employment to become job-ready.
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said encouraging and supporting women to enter or re-enter the workforce is essential to building confidence and wellbeing, as well as boosting the economy and benefitting families across New South Wales.
“Projects funded under the Return to Work Pathways program help women overcome barriers and provide them with the opportunity to secure sustainable employment that they might have otherwise missed out on,” she said.
“I encourage all eligible organisations with ideas for projects aimed at supporting pathways to employment and advancing economic participation for women in NSW to apply for a grant.”
Between $100,000 to $250,000 per organisation, up to a total of $2 million in funding, will be available to support the needs of diverse women in New South Wales who experience lower workforce participation rates.
Organisations working with the following priority groups are eligible to apply for funding:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women;
Women with disability;
Carers;
Older women (over 55 years);
Young women (17-24 years);
Women from culturally and linguistically diverse communities;
Women living in regional, rural, and remote areas (particularly far-west NSW and north-west NSW); and
Women living in Western Sydney (see the eligibility criteria for the list of Local Government Areas).
Priorities under the NSW Women’s Strategy are to boost women’s economic opportunity, health and wellbeing and participation and empowerment.
Since its launch in 2023, the Return to Work Pathways Program has funded 22 successful projects and supported more than 1000 women with their employment goals.
Tailored return-to-work projects are being delivered, addressing the barriers that prevent women re-entering the workforce and providing wraparound supports, including training, mentoring and pathways to employment.
Success stories from the previous funding round include Beacon Laundry’s Women@Work in the NSW Northern Rivers region.
Beacon has created 50 jobs for local women experiencing complex barriers to employment. Participants have access to mentoring, on-the-job training, tailored wraparound supports, and pathways to mainstream employment.
Women@Work aims to ensure employees are retained at Beacon or are job-ready so they can transition to mainstream employment.
Expressions of Interest for the Return to Work Pathways Program close on Friday, December 6, 2024.
For more information on the grant program, eligibility information and details on how to apply, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2024-25-return-to-work-pathways-program.
