At present, 29 per cent of Queensland’s manufacturing industry employees are women, and women are disproportionately represented in office and clerical positions over technical and trade professions. We want to lift the participation rate of women taking up technical and trade professions in the manufacturing sector throughout Queensland.

This program is to pair inspiration people in the manufacturing sector (mentors) with female school students who are considering entering the manufacturing sector, particularly school-based apprentices and trainees and school students looking to complete higher education university courses who may be looking for buddies and/or sponsors throughout their journey. 

The program objectives will be aimed at: 

• supporting female school students to plan a career in manufacturing and helping them reach their development goals;
• providing a support mechanism for new entrants to manufacturing, sharing knowledge, experience and building personal and professional networks; and
• encouraging women into the manufacturing the industry.

Brancher is  a science based mentoring platform that connects compatible mentees and mentors and provides them with support throughout their mentoring journey.

Brancher’s science-based matching algorithm means you can expect to be matched with someone who will stretch and challenge you – and help you realise your potential.

Brancher’s matching algorithm considers your manufacturing sub-sector preference, goals, skills, industry/area of work and importantly – your personal preferences and attributes through a confidential personality and values assessment.

The mentoring program is a structured 9-month program designed for students who identify as female and are currently in Year 10, 11 or 12, with prospects of entering the manufacturing sector, are committed to attending mentee training and looking to stretch and challenge themselves with the help of a mentor. And for mentors who work in the manufacturing sector, is suitably qualified to provide advice and support to the mentee, are committed to mentor training and monthly online meetings, and who is looking to give back, improve your leadership/coaching skills and are willing to commit to the program for the duration.

The program involves meeting a minimum of once per month with your mentee/mentor and completing 5 X online training modules (each less than 20 minutes) over the course of the program. There will also be an industry visit scheduled within the program where the mentees can see first-hand the workshop floor and to meet key representatives of the company and ask questions about their careers and pathways. We will make every effort to ensure the mentor facilitates the site visit.

There will be a wrap up event, linking all the mentors and mentees to conclude the program and celebrate success.

It is estimated ther will be a time commitment of 2 hours per month. This includes an hour meeting with your mentoring partner (this can be done virtually) and an additional hour of ‘self-work’ including preparing for the meeting and conducting follow up actions.

This is a complementary program. As Blue cards are required for the Mentors, any cost incurred in attaining these will be reimbursed.

Everyone is encouraged to apply however there are a limited number of spaces available. Depending on the number of applications received, there may be some people who cannot fit into this year’s program.

Provided you are eligible, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ when it comes to your application, The program simply wants to try and find you the best mentoring partner who will be a good fit for you.

For both mentees and mentors, if you have not been accepted into the program that means that unfortunately this year, the program did not find anyone who would be a great fit for you and what you’re wanting to get out of the program.

Research shows that mentees often experience increased confidence and resilience, reduced strain (a significant predictor of burnout) and improved career outcomes. If you are looking to stretch and challenge yourself with the help of a mentor and you can commit to the expectations of this program – sign up.

If you are a student:

• who identifies as female and are currently in high school – Year 10 - 12, in the first year of an apprenticeship undertaking vocational and education training; or in the first year of university 
• with prospects of entering the manufacturing sector (i.e., currently undertaking, or intending to undertake, a relevant apprenticeship/traineeship/university degree, or who have expressed an interest in entering the sector), including emerging areas of advanced manufacturing (i.e., robotics/AI); and
• are committed to attending mentee training, monthly online meetings with a mentor and an industry site visit at the mentor’s workplace; and
• looking to stretch and challenge yourself with the help of a mentor and you can commit to the expectations of this program – this program is for you.

Research shows mentors often report greater job satisfaction, improved coaching skills, increased job performance and a great sense of reward and satisfaction for ‘paying it forward’.

If you are looking to give back, to learn more about yourself, to improve your leadership/coaching skills and you can commit to the expectations of this program – sign up.

If you are an individual

• works in a manufacturing area that is relevant/of interest to the mentee (noting that the manufacturing sector encompasses a broad range of businesses, skills and activities, including emerging areas of advance manufacturing);
• is suitably qualified to provide advice and support to the mentee (i.e., has experience in the sector, or a new starter who demonstrates maturity); and
• can commit to mentor training, monthly online meetings with their mentee and an industry day where the mentor takes the mentee on site and shows her around the workplace; and
• who is looking to give back, to learn more about yourself, to improve your leadership/coaching skills and are willing to commit to the expectations of this program.

If you are having self-doubt about whether you have something to offer, trust us - you do! So please apply!

We will notify all applicants (whether you are successful or unsuccessful) in August and the program will then kick off.