On Tuesday, 18 August, and Thursday, 20 August 2026, WISE Women, in partnership with the Department of Justice’s North-West Metropolitan Area Employment Pathway Broker from the Employment Pathways team, delivered the inaugural EmpowerHER program.
This two-day pre-employment program was designed for women subject to community-based orders. Participants were supported to identify their strengths, values and personal qualities, while recognising how their lived experiences can be leveraged as workplace strengths. The program helped women build confidence in sharing their personal stories, set meaningful employment and personal development goals, and identify practical steps to achieve them. Participants also developed key employability skills, including interview techniques, workplace confidence, and the creation of tailored resumes and cover letters to support their job readiness.
Feedback indicated that EmpowerHER successfully encouraged and motivated participants to take positive steps towards employment, with many expressing increased self-belief, confidence and determination to pursue their goals. Participants demonstrated a growing understanding of self-advocacy and an ability to recognise how their experiences and strengths can translate into valuable workplace attributes. These reflections highlighted not only a desire for change but also a willingness to take ownership of their futures.
A key message resonated throughout both sessions: you decide what your narrative is. While past experiences may form one chapter of a person’s life, they do not define the whole story. This message was reflected in participants’ own words and the confidence they displayed when discussing their future aspirations.
When asked how they were feeling at the conclusion of the program, one participant responded simply, “Empowered.” Another shared that she felt “driven and motivated to follow my ambitions.”
Participants will return for a follow-up session in three weeks, where they will receive interview clothing and essential items to support their transition into employment. The session will provide an opportunity to celebrate their progress, maintain the positive momentum created during EmpowerHER, and offer further coaching, guidance and support as they continue working towards their goals.
The journey doesn’t end with the program, it is the beginning of the next chapter, one where participants can take the confidence, strengths and determination they have discovered and turn them into positive opportunities for their future.
To learn more about EmpowerHER or the WISE Women employment program, email the team at: WISEWomen@wise.org.au.