A million dollar ACT budget announcement aims to boost the number of female tradespeople and mature worker numbers in the capital.
The $1 million vocational education package will be rolled out over the next four years and fund Skills Canberra to develop upskilling and reskilling activities for females working in trades and mature age workers toward employment.
The funding package was an ACT Labor Party election promise in 2016 and a move higher education and training minister Meegan Fitzharris is confident will create real change.
"This funding aims to address barriers experienced by women seeking to enter trades that are traditionally male dominated," she said.
"The proportion of women who commenced a traditional trade apprenticeship in 2015 was 3 per cent. Promoting female participation in traditionally male dominated trades will improve workplace equity and strengthen different industries through greater female representation."
Skills Canberra director David Miller said earlier this year vocational training student numbers had taken a nosedive in Canberra, reflecting a broader national trend.
The government opened more than 2900 subsidised places in more than 70 VET courses in February, however the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate half-yearly performance report noted the ACT's VET numbers were 22.8 per cent below target.
Mr Miller said the 20 per cent decline in trades courses between 2012 and 2015 nationally was likely linked to reduced activity in the construction industry and the removal of federal government incentive payments provided for course commencement.
The package will also assist mature aged workers with employability.
The skills programs target those re-entering the workforce after raising children or those wishing to enchance their skillset to prepare for management roles.
"Mature aged workers have a lot to contribute to our community – and we want to ensure that anyone who wants to continue working can do so with the right skills," Ms Fitzharris said.