Innovative program ready to secure more QLD women’s economic futures

The FW Jobs Academy, an innovative program securing the economic futures of hundreds of women like Gold Coast mum Liz, is accepting applications for 2025 to help more women over 40 return to work and thrive. 

After the mum of two took a lengthy career break to raise her young family, she struggled to rejoin the workforce, despite previously holding a senior position in marketing. “I just didn’t get any responses [from employers]. I didn’t really understand that the industry had moved on quite a lot, and I had not. I felt quite outdated pretty quickly,” she said.

Liz credits the FW Jobs Academy with completely changing her trajectory and has since secured a permanent casual job. She says she’s been “blown away” by the support she received from both the FW team and from women in a similar situation to her. “Having been so isolated for so long to just be back in such a warm and encouraging community was really good for my self esteem, my positivity and [my] willingness to give it a go.”

FW Founder and Managing Director Helen McCabe said the program has struggled to keep up with demand. “Since we launched the Academy it’s become obvious that there are hundreds of thousands of women across the nation who are highly-skilled and ready to return to paid work and we’re proud to offer a program that provides support tailored to their needs,” she said. 

“It’s a win-win for the state and the people in it. Through Jobs Academy, Queensland will boost women’s workforce participation while also addressing chronic labour and skills shortages.”

Jobs Academy, which was built by women for women, is now accepting applications for its 2025 intake, supporting 250 women or gender diverse people across Queensland. This fully-virtual program is available to participants regardless of location.

As part of the year-long program, participants gain access to: 

• A Learning Hub of self-guided courses
• Mentoring and coaching sessions
• Jobs and Skills Fairs webinars
• Community and networking via the supportive Jobs Academy network
• Virtual ticket to the annual FW Leadership Summit, held in March
• Lifetime Jobs Academy membership upon completion

Jobs Academy is an FW initiative supported by the Queensland Government. It’s supported by major employers across Australia including CyberCX, Acciona, Westpac, Aesop, HammondCare and ServiceNow.

To learn more about the program, head to jobsacademy.futurewomen.com/qld