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03-Mar-2025 | Events

Celebrating International Women’s Day

At SYC, women make up the majority of both our staff and clients. Last year, over half of the people we supported identified as female. In celebration of International Women's Day, we've spoken with some of our team about their experiences as women within their respective fields.

Stacey - Chief Operating Officer, Employment and Education
Stacey has worked at SYC for 15 years in the employment industry, witnessing firsthand the challenges women face in employment services.

"One of the biggest challenges for women is access to sustainable, long-term career pathways, particularly in traditionally male-dominated industries. While progress is ongoing, barriers like gendered expectations, limited flexible work options and unequal access to training persist."

Data shows that women also tend to remain in employment services longer than men, often due to additional barriers like caring responsibilities or systemic disadvantages in accessing higher-wage roles.

As part of the newly established Gender Equality Working Group, led by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Stacey collaborates on initiatives to support women and create lasting change. "When women are empowered in the workforce, businesses and communities thrive."

Emily - Manager of Youth Justice
As the Manager of Youth Justice, Emily and her team support young people to engage with the community, creating positive experiences and opportunities for skill development and independent living.

Emily highlights the unique strength of working in a predominantly female team. "In Community Services at SYC, we are privileged to be guided by strong female leadership. We work for, with, and alongside brave, resilient, and powerful women and girls every day."

She describes the work environment as one that thrives on community, support, and shared empowerment. "There is kindness, humility, and warmth in the most powerful way. Challenges are met with resilience, and success is celebrated together."

Cherie - Foundation Skills Trainer and Assessor
Cherie helps students build essential literacy and numeracy skills. In addition to her role in foundation skills, she also delivers hospitality training and supports the SEE trainers.

Cherie has seen a shift in vocational education, with more women entering traditionally male-dominated trades. "It is exciting to see more women joining these industries and taking on leadership and training roles," she says.

However, balancing study, work and family responsibilities can be difficult.

Cherie, who herself returned to full-time study while raising a family and working part-time, encourages women to take the leap if they're considering further education. "It's challenging, but we only learn through things that challenge us," she says. "Take advantage of all the support available and don't be afraid to ask questions."

Seeing women gain confidence and step into new careers is incredibly rewarding for Cherie. "For many, it's the first time in a long time they see themselves as more than a 'mum' or a 'wife', they are reclaiming their identity and realising their full potential."

Sandy - Development Manager
Sandy works across all SYC's portfolios, leading a small team responsible for securing funding for new and existing services. Through this work, she has gained valuable insight into the unique challenges women face.

"I've learned the reasons women come to our services, their needs, and how we support them can be quite different from men," she explains.

One of the most pressing issues is the housing crisis, particularly for older women, who are one of the fastest-growing groups facing homelessness in Australia. "Gender norms, caring responsibilities, and relationship breakdowns, including domestic violence, often leave women with lower salaries and savings putting them at a disadvantage when competing for housing" she shares. "The challenge for my team is to secure funding so staff can work with women to design and resource the right supports."

Sandy is proud to work for an organisation that values diversity and equality. She notes that SYC's executive team is 50% female, well above the national average of 37%. "It's empowering for women to see that talent, experience, and qualifications matter most in recruitment and promotion, not gender."

Bec - Team Leader, Apprenticeship Administration
Bec manages SYC's Apprenticeship Support Services, helping both apprentices and employers, she ensures smooth operations and effective technical support throughout the apprenticeship journey.

Bec is passionate about supporting women in trades, an area still heavily male-dominated.

"Bullying, harassment and the perception that women are weaker than their male counterparts are some of the biggest challenges women face in trades," she shares.

These barriers often lead women to leave the industry, reinforcing the need for strong mentorship and workplace protections. "Mentors play such a huge role throughout the lifespan of an apprenticeship. Without them, we would see even fewer women complete their qualifications."

Despite progress, Bec shares that attitudes toward women in trades have changed only slightly over the years. "In my 13 years in the apprenticeship space, it's disheartening to see that attitudes have shifted so little."

However, with growing government focus and ongoing advocacy, she stays hopeful for the future. "As more women enter and succeed in trades, their presence and the right mentorship and support networks will continue to challenge outdated perceptions and create a more inclusive industry."

At SYC, we are committed to creating opportunities for all individuals, including women, to thrive. International Women's Day is a time to celebrate women's achievements while recognising the barriers that still exist. It's an opportunity to reflect on how we can continue to push for gender equality, challenge biases and drive change in our workplaces and communities.