6 March, 2025 | 3 mins read
Every year on 8 March, organisations around the world pause to celebrate International Women’s Day. There are morning teas, social posts, and well-meaning speeches. And then, on 9 March, most things go back to normal.
At Art of Mentoring, we believe the most meaningful thing an organisation can do, not just on IWD but every day, is build the structures that allow women to stay, grow and lead. One of the most practical, scalable ways to do that is through structured mentoring programs for women.
This year, our team is at the IPWEA NSW & ACT International Women’s Day event, speaking directly with leaders in infrastructure and construction, an industry where women make up just 12–15% of the workforce, despite representing nearly half of Australia’s overall workforce. The question isn’t just how do we attract more women in? It’s: how do we help them stay, thrive and lead?
Time and again, when we work with women in technical, construction and government roles, we hear the same thing:
I don't lack capability. I lack visibility, sponsorship and confidence in navigating the system.
This is the reality for many women, particularly in male-dominated industries. The barriers aren’t about skill or ambition. They’re about access: to networks, to leadership thinking, to advocates who speak your name in rooms you’re not in.
Mentoring addresses this directly. A good mentoring relationship provides:
The research on mentoring programs for women and career advancement is compelling:
At Art of Mentoring, our own data reflects this: 96% of program participants report high satisfaction. Across our women-focused programs, including work with Master Builders Australia and Women in Mining NSW, participants consistently tell us they feel more confident, more capable of advancing, and more certain about their future in the industry.
The barriers aren't about skill or ambition. They're about access — to networks, to leadership thinking, to advocates who speak your name in rooms you're not in.
One of the most important reframes we encourage organisations to make is this: mentoring isn’t just a support mechanism for women. It’s a performance strategy for the entire organisation.
When organisations intentionally build mentoring into their culture:
The question every organisation should be asking right now is: are we hoping diversity improves — or are we structurally supporting it?
At Art of Mentoring, we believe that mentoring is an essential tool in fostering the next generation of female leaders. Our mentoring programmes are designed to connect women across industries, enabling them to develop both personally and professionally. We recognise that women often need a strong support system to navigate the unique challenges they face in the workplace, and our programmes are specifically designed to provide that support.
Whether through one-on-one mentoring, group mentoring, or reverse mentoring, we help women connect with experienced mentors who can guide them toward success. Our mentorship programmes focus on building confidence, leadership skills, and networking abilities, ensuring women have the resources they need to thrive.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognise that mentoring is not just about providing advice—it’s about empowering women to overcome obstacles, build networks, and break down the barriers that have historically held them back. Mentoring plays a crucial role in advancing women in leadership, helping them to rise, challenge the status quo, and ultimately transform industries. By creating mentoring opportunities for women, we are not only improving their professional journeys but also contributing to a more equitable, inclusive workforce for the future.
At Art of Mentoring, we are committed to supporting women’s growth and empowerment through structured mentoring relationships. Let’s continue to create a world where women’s potential is recognised, celebrated, and nurtured—every day, not just on International Women’s Day.
International Women’s Day is a vital reminder, but lasting change requires more than a morning tea. It requires consistent, structural action.
At Art of Mentoring, we don’t just offer advice. We provide the framework for women to overcome obstacles, build influence, and transform their industries.
Talent is not the issue. Access is. And structured mentoring is the most practical, human and scalable way to close that gap.
Happy International Women’s Day.
Download our introductory guide ‘The Ripple Effect’ to mentoring and learn the secrets to unleashing hidden value in your organisation
Compiled by our mentoring experts, this guide will introduce you to the secrets of unleashing hidden value in your organisation.
Art of Mentoring CRM needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.
"*" indicates required fields
Join the hundreds of organisations embedding mentoring and empowering their teams with the Art of Mentoring.
By subscribing, you agree to Art of Mentoring contacting you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from this communicaiton at any time using the ‘unsubscribe’ link at the bottom of our emails. The Privacy Policy, located on our website outlines our commitment to protecting your privacy.
"*" indicates required fields