Nearly 70 regional women from across NSW have put their hands up for a new program training women to help their communities through the shift to renewable energy.
Community Power Agency (CPA) received the expressions of interest in August for its Women in Clean Energy Engagement (WiCEE) program.
Applications came from regional areas in all of NSW’s Renewable Energy Zones (REZs). Some applicants were new to renewable energy or community engagement, while others were experienced and well qualified.
Many said they wanted to support their communities through the energy transition and push for fair outcomes for regional areas. A common theme was that the success of the transition depends on good community engagement.
Twenty women from regional, rural, and remote NSW will be selected for the program.
They will complete CPA’s university-accredited short course in Socially Responsible Renewable Energy Development, along with the Engagement Institute’s introductory “Essentials of Engagement” training.
Participants will also be linked up with peer-to-peer mentoring to build the skills and networks they need for a career in the state’s growing renewable energy sector.
All study costs are funded by the NSW Government through the Investing in Women program.
“This grant will help regional women re-train and up-skill to deliver quality, locally-led community engagement in the renewable energy sector,” CPA Director Claudia Hodge stated.
The program aims to boost participants’ long-term job prospects and build a community of practice to support women into leadership roles.
WiCEE is running as a pilot to build a stronger pipeline of community engagement professionals. The goal is to make sure REZ regions have local people who can help their communities navigate the energy transition on their own terms.
CPA is hoping to secure work placements for participants, and future funding to extend the program.
CPA is a women-led, not-for-profit co-operative that works with communities, government, and industry on renewable energy policies and projects aimed at a fairer and faster transition to a clean energy economy.
“Women and gender-diverse people have a vital role to play in engaging their local regional community to participate in a fair and fast energy transition, and we are proud to help build that capacity on the ground,” Hodge stated.
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