A national co-operative founded out of Lightning Ridge has received funding to build even bigger, with a focus on removing the barriers for women to re-enter the workforce.

The Rural Woman was founded by now Chairperson Rebel Black and became the Rural Woman Cooperative in 2021, always having intentions to hand the company to its members. 

Now, further investment is allowing the cooperative to build its biggest effort of support for rural working women to date. 

“(We will) provide intensive coaching services to rural women, particularly those who are beyond their childbearing time so that their children are at school and they’re looking for a career transition or to re-enter a career,” Ms Black said. 

As part of the development, the cooperative will partner with the University of New England to develop ‘micro-credentialing’, where women can complete pathways to higher education and qualification. 

“Capacity to participate in the workforce provides wellbeing, agency and financial security to individuals which has a ripple effect on communities,” Ms Black said.  

Despite the progression of a lot of industries, Ms Black said that for women there are still many more barriers to re-enter the workforce than may exist for men. 

“There’s some systemic and structural disadvantages that are still in place for women reentering the workforce after having a family. I think there’s also a confidence barrier that we have witnessed in a lot of the women we have been working with in the last few years,” she said. 

“I think there’s also a lot of women in rural communities who are doing unpaid work inside family businesses, who struggle with their role.”

Under the program, more than 224 rural women will receive tailored support through coaching, connection to role models, professional networking and formal recognition through the micro-credentialling model. 

The collaborative project is being delivered in all states across Australia, in partnership with Dairy Australia, Australian Wool Innovation and the University of New England. 

Minister for Parkes Mark Coulton congratulated the cooperative on securing just under $350,000.

“Women have never been more needed to fill the plethora of roles currently available in agriculture, so this project will help to tap into this need and boost female participation in the industry,” Mr Coulton said. 

Minister for Women's Economic Security, Senator the Hon Jane Hume, said successful projects were chosen through a robust assessment process. 

“We received such a high number of applications to this empowering initiative, so we know just how strong interest is from a variety of groups – from training organisations and universities, to community groups, industry bodies and local government – to deliver projects that improve opportunities for women,” Minister Hume said. 

“It’s easy to lose touch with workplace practices. For many women returning to work these  

projects will help bring them up to speed on the kind of career pathways available to them.  

“They will provide information and advice on how to reach their career goals, particularly women in non-traditional industries and occupations, or industries where women are under-represented, including at senior levels.” 

The program is set to roll out with the industry partners in the coming months, and the Rural Woman Cooperative will begin making invitations to the first cohort of the program.