Women in Non-Traditional Trades Scholarship

To be eligible to apply for the 2025 Scholarships applicants must:

• Be a person who identifies as a woman who has left school
• Be a Western Australian resident and an Australian citizen; or
• Be a permanent visa holder or holder of an eligible visa sub-class as outlined in the Department’s VET Fees and Charges Policy 2024.

You must also be:

• Commencing training in an eligible qualification (full time or part time) between 1 January and 31 December 2025; 
• Undertaking your course at a Western Australian TAFE College; and
• Not be receiving another scholarship for their course of study.  

Applicants will be assessed on the quality of their applications with respect to how well they address the three short written response questions:

• Describe your career goals and aspirations;
• What are the main reason(s) that you are applying for the scholarship?
• If successful, what would you use the scholarship money for?

Consideration will also be given to industry spread and regional location. 

Scholarship recipients will be advised of their success following completion of the formal evaluation process.  

Scholarship recipients will receive a one–off payment following successful enrolment and continuation of training past the withdrawal/census period stipulated by NMTAFE.  

Recipients will be sent a payment claim form to complete and forward to our Finance Department. Once processed, funds will be deposited in their bank account.

Scholarship recipients will be able to use the scholarship funding to meet course and a range of related costs that enhance their successful retention, completion and subsequent job outcomes in their chosen field of study including:

• Student fees
• Learning resources
• Mentoring and/or coaching
• Transport and accommodation
• Childcare
• Tools, work clothes and personal protective equipment
• Laptops/tablets
• Additional courses, workshops and seminars
• Work tickets and licenses.

1. After you submit your application, you'll get an email message from North Metropolitan TAFE to let you know we have received it.
2. All applications will be reviewed after the closing deadline.
3. If you're one of the top applicants, you will be contacted by email for an informal interview. Make sure to check your email after the closing date.
4. All successful and non-successful applicants will be advised in writing after Term 1, 2025.
5. Scholarship funds will be available after the successful applicants have been notified.

Why is the Western Australian Government offering this scholarship?

The scholarship is designed to improve women’s economic participation and equality in the workforce by increasing female participation in traditionally male dominated roles such as building and construction and science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

What are non-traditional trades and industries?

Occupations where women make up less than 25% of the total workforce are considered non-traditional. Refer to the Eligible Qualifications list for qualifications eligible for this scholarship.

How were the qualifications selected?

The qualifications are linked to occupations where women comprised less than 25% of the workforce based on the 2021 Census and are linked to STEM fields of education or the building and construction industry. In addition, there are a number of qualifications included that meet the regional skill needs, occupations in demand and labour market shortages identified by TAFE Colleges. 

How does the scholarship work?

If you are planning or have already applied to commence an eligible non-traditional qualification and meet the eligibility requirements you can apply for a scholarship to assist with the costs associated with your training. $5,000 Scholarships will be available for both institutional and employment based training. Successful applicants will receive a one-off payment from the State Government upon enrolment and continuation of training past the withdrawal/census date stipulated by your TAFE College.

What can the scholarship be used for?

The funds are provided to assist with any costs associated with undertaking publicly funded training or overcoming barriers to participation. This can include items such as student fees, learning resources, mentoring, coaching, accommodation, transport, childcare, tools, work clothes, personal protective equipment, laptops/tablets, additional courses/workshops/seminars, work tickets and licenses.

How many scholarships will be awarded?

Each of the five TAFE College will award 20 Scholarships per annum over four years 2024 - 2027. A total of 400 scholarships will be awarded State wide. 

When can I apply?

Applications for Semester 1 2025 at NMTAFE open 11 December 2024 and close 5:00pm Tuesday 4 February. 

Closing dates for applications will be determined by TAFE Colleges and advertised on their web sites.

How will I know my application has been received?

You will receive an automatic notification on lodgement of your application.

How will applications be assessed?

Applicants will be assessed on the quality of their applications with respect to how well they address the three short written response questions:

• Describe your career goals and aspirations;
• What are the main reason(s) that you are applying for the scholarship?
• If successful, what would you use the scholarship money for?

Consideration will also be given to industry spread and regional location. 

Who can apply for the scholarship?

To be eligible to apply for the Scholarship applicants must:

• be a person who identifies as a woman who has left school;
• be a Western Australian resident and an Australian citizen; or
• be a permanent visa holder or holder of an eligible visa sub-class as outlined in the Department’s VET Fees and Charges Policy 2024.
• commencing training in an eligible qualification (full time or part time) between 1 January and 31 December 2024; 
• undertaking their course at a Western Australian TAFE College; and
• not be receiving another scholarship for their course of study.

How do I apply?

All applications must be submitted via the online WNTT application form available on your TAFE College website.

If I have already commenced a qualification on the eligible qualifications list can I apply for a scholarship for that qualification?

No. The scholarship is only available for those who commence training in their qualification between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.

Can I apply if I am doing a VET qualification at school?

No. You must have left school and be planning or already applied for a place in one of the eligible qualifications in order to apply for the scholarship.

What training can I do?

A list of eligible qualification for the scholarship program are specified on the Eligible Qualifications list on your Colleges website. Eligible qualifications include apprenticeships, traineeships and institutional training.

How will I know if I have been awarded a scholarship?

Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by their TAFE College. 

How do I claim the payment?

Scholarship recipients will be sent a payment claim form to complete and forward to the Colleges Finance Department. Once processed funds will be deposited in your bank account.

Will I need to report or provide receipts on what I spend the money on?

No.