WomenCAN Australia

WomenCAN Australia WomenCAN Australia provides women with free training, employment, and a wonderful program of peer support.

​ WomenCAN Australia is surging.

WomenCAN Australia was set up in 2019 to help women get skills and jobs, often having been out of the paid workforce for years providing care to others. We do this while providing confidence, connections, and peer support through The Placement Circle, in which women walk side-by-side on their path to financial independence. The genesis of WomenCAN Australia is ingrained unfairness. The barriers of bias and discrimination against women compelled Mikaela Stafrace to set up the organisation after she realised her successful corporate law career had left her needing a fuller sense of purpose. So she quit her job and started helping other women get jobs. Women, often facing difficult circumstances, get free training and guaranteed work. They ‘earn and learn’ at the same time. Employers get dedicated, reliable, skilled staff. Women needing trades work done get quality, affordable trades work done through our social enterprise. And the economy and communities get stronger. The organisation focusses on aged care, childcare, transport, and trades for the moment. But its close connection to communities means it picks up on what’s happening in the labour market early, and so is well-placed to help Australia’s women help fix Australia’s skills shortage. We have tax-deductible charitable status and are registered with the Australian Charities Not-for-profit Commission, the Australian Taxation Office and Social Traders.

🚛 Creating pathways into Transport careers 🌟"Completing this program has led me to permanent employment with a local com...
23/09/2026

🚛 Creating pathways into Transport careers 🌟

"Completing this program has led me to permanent employment with a local company."

After holding her Heavy Rigid licence for six years and struggling to gain industry experience, Emma joined the Volvo Iron Women Program through WomenCAN Australia.

Through practical training, industry connections and career support, Emma secured a permanent position with FOOTT as a Heavy Vehicle Operator.

Her success is a testament to the impact that strong partnerships between industry, employers and community organisations can have in creating meaningful employment opportunities for women.

Emma is now inspiring the next cohort of Volvo Iron Women, visiting GOTAFE and providing valuable insights and reflections of her journey.

Read full story: https://www.womencanaustralia.org/from-determination-to-opportunity-emmas-iron-women-journey/

Thank you to FOOTT and our partners, including Volvo Trucks Australia, Transport Women Australia Limited and Wodonga TAFE, for helping turn determination into opportunity.

Do you love being outdoors and caring for animals? Are you returning to work? Looking for a career change? Wanting sec...
16/09/2026

Do you love being outdoors and caring for animals? Are you returning to work? Looking for a career change? Wanting secure local employment?

Join our Dairy Australia collaboration and explore rewarding career pathways across the thriving Goulburn Valley dairy sector. Dairy isn’t just a job, it’s your next career.

No experience required.

Visit GV dairy producers, meet industry women, discover training and employment pathways, ask all the questions and learn about rewarding careers.

📅 Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Free to attend
📍 Meet in Shepparton, Victoria
🚍 Transport and lunch provided
🎟️ Registration essential

Milk your potential. Careers in dairy production, open now!

Register today! https://www.womencanaustralia.org/Goulburn-Valley-Dairy-Industry-Tour/

During our recent Team Day in Shepparton, we had the privilege of visiting the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence on...
11/09/2026

During our recent Team Day in Shepparton, we had the privilege of visiting the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence on Yorta Yorta Country. Munarra's striking design draws inspiration from the Aboriginal flag, symbolising identity, strength and self-determination and honours the rich history and stories of the local community.

Over lunch, CEO Ange Burt generously shared the story behind Munarra, its vision for the future, and the opportunities being created for First Nations people across Greater Shepparton. Her passion, leadership and commitment to community left a lasting impression on our team.

We are grateful for the warm welcome and the opportunity to learn more about the important work being led by Ange and the Munarra team. We look forward to exploring ways we can collaborate and create positive education and employment outcomes together in the future.

💜 Thank you, Ange and the Munarra team, for sharing your vision and journey with us.

Looking for a career with purpose? 💜We have 'Earn & Learn' opportunities for women in the Bendigo region.✅ No experience...
10/09/2026

Looking for a career with purpose? 💜

We have 'Earn & Learn' opportunities for women in the Bendigo region.

✅ No experience necessary
✅ Be connected to employers
✅ Study for free
✅ Learn with your peers
✅ Receive tailored support
✅Graduate with a nationally recognised qualification

Our partners are looking for motivated women ready to start a career in Aged Care NOW!

To apply, you must:
✔ Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
✔ Be aged 18+
✔ Reside in Greater Bendigo

If you've been thinking about a fresh start, NOW is the time to apply.
Begin your journey into a meaningful career in Aged Care. 💜

Contact Donna via: https://www.womencanaustralia.org/contact/

The WomenCAN Way is about stopping to recognise the moments that matter. It's about celebrating team members who go abov...
09/09/2026

The WomenCAN Way is about stopping to recognise the moments that matter. It's about celebrating team members who go above and beyond, step up to support others, and make a positive difference for the women we support, colleagues, and partners.

🎉We are proud to celebrate Simone Halls as the latest recipient of the WomenCAN Way Award! 🎉

Simone lives these values every day. Simone's dedication to the women we support is exceptional.

Through her advocacy, encouragement and unwavering commitment, she helps create opportunities and empowers women to achieve their goals.

Having held a variety of roles at WomenCAN Australia over the past three years, Simone has shown remarkable growth while consistently demonstrating the care, compassion and integrity that make her such a valued team member.

Thank you, Simone, for everything you do. You truly embody the WomenCAN Way, and we are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition. Congratulations! 💜

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Marietta Asaad and Fiona Smolenaars as Directors of WomenCAN Australia.M...
05/08/2026

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Marietta Asaad and Fiona Smolenaars as Directors of WomenCAN Australia.

Marietta is an experienced philanthropy and major gifts professional with expertise in donor engagement, corporate partnerships and strategic fundraising. Her career spans the not-for-profit sector in both the UK and Australia, including organisations working across education, humanitarian services and health. Since making Australia home in 2015, she has worked with philanthropists, major donors and corporate partners to secure support for programs and initiatives with meaningful community impact. Marietta is passionate about the role of philanthropy in advancing organisational missions and takes a collaborative, relationship-focused approach to building meaningful partnerships.

Fiona is a regional leader, connector and strategic planning specialist with more than 30 years’ experience in community development. She is the founder of clickWork, a careers consultancy bridging the worlds of job seekers with regional employers. More recently, Fiona was a Partnership Broker with the University of Melbourne, where she leveraged extensive networks to build projects driving social and economic outcomes for the region. She holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Master’s degrees in Rural Development and Business & Empathy, and her leadership record includes chairing the Shepparton Festival. She is currently serving on the Museum of Vehicle Evolution and GV Health Foundation boards. Fiona brings to WomenCAN Australia a deep understanding of the barriers regional women face in accessing training and employment, and an insight and network of possibilities to alternative pathways. She is driven to create opportunities for economic participation as the foundation of independence.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Marietta and Fiona to the WomenCAN Australia Board. We look forward to the expertise, leadership and passion they will bring as we continue empowering women through skills, training and employment pathways.

Looking for a career with purpose? 💜We have 'Earn & Learn' opportunities for women in Castlemaine, Maldon, Harcourt, Che...
31/07/2026

Looking for a career with purpose? 💜

We have 'Earn & Learn' opportunities for women in Castlemaine, Maldon, Harcourt, Chewton, Newstead, Maryborough and Carisbrook, Victoria.

✅ No experience necessary
✅ Study for free
✅ Be connected to employers
✅ Receive unique peer-led support
✅Graduate with a nationally recognised qualification

Our employment partners are looking for motivated women ready to start a new career in aged care NOW!

To apply, you must:
✔ Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
✔ Be aged 18+
✔ Reside in Mt Alexander Shire

If you've been thinking about a fresh start, NOW is the time.
Apply TODAY and begin your journey into a meaningful career in aged care. 💜

Contact Donna via: https://www.womencanaustralia.org/contact/

Flashback Friday as we reflect on the graduation of Volvo Iron Women Cohort 1, we extend our thanks to Shepparton's Muse...
31/07/2026

Flashback Friday as we reflect on the graduation of Volvo Iron Women Cohort 1, we extend our thanks to Shepparton's Museum of Vehicle Evolution - MOVE for its incredible support of the program and for hosting our graduation celebration.

The graduation evening was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the achievements, growth, and determination of the women who completed the program. Hosting the event in such an iconic venue, dedicated to showcasing the history of transport in Australia while welcoming this group of women into its future provided the perfect setting to celebrate their journey!

Partners like MOVE play an important role in helping WomenCAN Australia create meaningful opportunities for women to connect with industry, build confidence, and pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated sectors. Thank you for your generosity, hospitality, and commitment to supporting women in our communities.

🚛 Our second Volvo Iron Women Program cohort officially kicked off in Shepparton on 6 July, and we couldn't be prouder o...
29/07/2026

🚛 Our second Volvo Iron Women Program cohort officially kicked off in Shepparton on 6 July, and we couldn't be prouder of the incredible women taking part. 💪👷‍♀️

Seven determined women from across Victoria and New South Wales have travelled to Shepparton, bringing with them diverse backgrounds, varying levels of transport experience, and one shared goal: to gain their Heavy Rigid Licence and launch a rewarding career in the transport industry.

This inspiring group is already demonstrating what can be achieved when women are given the support, training, and opportunity to succeed.

We wish these women every success as they begin their practical driving week and take another exciting step toward their future careers. We're cheering you on every kilometre of the way! 🚚✨

Last Friday, WomenCAN Australia was proud to be welcomed as one of the inaugural participants in LikeWISE, an exciting s...
29/07/2026

Last Friday, WomenCAN Australia was proud to be welcomed as one of the inaugural participants in LikeWISE, an exciting six-year pilot initiative anchored at the Purpose Precinct at Queen Victoria Market.

Led by STREAT and supported by the Paul Ramsay Foundation, LikeWISE brings together Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) in a shared ecosystem designed to strengthen enterprise capability, increase trading opportunities, foster collaboration, and create meaningful employment pathways for people facing barriers to work.

At WomenCAN Australia, we know the power of providing opportunities, skills and support to create lasting employment outcomes. That's why we're excited to be part of a collaborative network alongside STREAT and the Killara Foundation, working together to strengthen the social enterprise sector and expand opportunities for the communities we serve.

A huge thank you to STREAT, the Paul Ramsay Foundation, and everyone who joined the launch event today. We were inspired by the insights shared by panelists on the day and to be part of this social innovation work with incredible peers alongside us.

We're looking forward to learning, collaborating and helping create more pathways to employment for women and others facing barriers to work.

Read more here: https://www.womencanaustralia.org/likewise-launches-at-the-purpose-precinct/

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