Future Women’s highly successful Jobs Academy would play a critical role in bridging a jobs and skills gap and securing women’s economic futures, under a plan announced by NSW Labor on International Women’s Day. 

If elected later this month, a Minns Labor government will expand Future Women’s Jobs Academy to support up to 1,000 more women in NSW. 

“Future Women are delighted by the prospect of expanding the Jobs Academy to more women in NSW. Our national program is already hugely oversubscribed. The demand is there, and women’s desire to work is strong,” said Helen McCabe, Founder and Managing Director of Future Women. 

Ms McCabe said the expansion would allow the Jobs Academy to meet current demand, and boost workforce participation for women in NSW. 

At 3.1 percent, NSW boasts the lowest unemployment rate among the states, but the NSW Treasury has estimated that by 2025-26, an additional 300,000 workers will be needed to fill critical jobs and skills gaps in this state. 

Future Women Deputy Managing Director Jamila Rizvi said the innovative program offers the missing link for women seeking the skills and connections to return to work in the state. 

“Jobs Academy was designed by women, for women. Jobs Academy works because it meets women where they’re at, supporting them with everything from skills identification to resume writing, interview preparation and mentoring.” 

Future Women’s Jobs Academy received $8.7 million in the October federal budget to support 2,000 Australian women over three years. This comes after a strong result in its initial pilot program with 72 percent of participants commencing work or study. 

Future Women has forged partnerships with more than 70 employers committed to hiring from the Jobs Academy including HESTA, CyberCX, Salesforce, Nine and Microsoft, with a focus on flexible and rewarding work. 

About Future Women’s Jobs Academy

If elected, NSW Labor will support 1,000 women over two years to become job-ready, boosting women’s workforce participation and economic security while addressing chronic labour and skills shortages in New South Wales. 

The $5.8 million investment will give women the confidence and capabilities they need through all stages of their return-to-work journey, from initial exploration to ongoing support once they find a new job. 

The program will give women access to: 

• Online resources hub 
• Professional development and skills training 
• Coaching and mentoring 
• Community, content and events 
• Employer connections 
• A lifetime of support – ongoing Future Women membership 

Future Women’s Jobs Academy program has been designed by women, to work alongside women and has been successfully piloted with the Commonwealth Office for Women. 

Read more about Future Women’s Jobs Academy at jobsacademy.futurewomen.com/

Media opportunities 

• Helen McCabe – Future Women Founder and Managing Director 
• Jamila Rizvi – Future Women Deputy Managing Director 
• Belinda Casselden – Successful 2022 Jobs Academy participant based in Sydney
• Zareena Banu – 2023 Jobs Academy participant based in North Sydney
• Tammy Neal – 2023 Jobs Academy participant based in Regional NSW

For interviews please contact :
Sally Spicer – Future Women, Senior Content Producer 
E: sally@futurewomen.com 

Wednesday, March 8, 2023