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Know your value. 
Own your role.
Advance your career.

The First Five program is designed to meet your unique development needs as a woman navigating your first five years in a male-dominated industry.
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Registration for the March 2025 First Five cohort closes at 5pm AEST 14th February 2025

You are capable.

But as a woman in the first five years of your career, it may not always feel like it—especially in a majority-male workplace.

  • Do I have a right to voice my opinions?
  • How much value am I (actually) bringing to my workplace?
  • How do I compare to my peers?
  • Am I ready for acknowledgement or advancement?
  • How do I approach my manager with a concern?
  • Do I really belong here?

It's not just you. And it's not just gender.

Most early-career women in male-dominated industries feel some degree of uncertainty in themselves and in their role. 

That's because you're navigating multiple layers of "new."

Gen Z in a Gen X World

Your older colleagues and managers come at their work from a different perspective and with different values.


It's irritating to be constantly underestimated, and it's frustrating to swallow your good ideas for fear of overstepping unspoken, unclear boundaries.

New to the World of Work

Uni isn’t a real world environment in which to practice vital soft skills like communication, conflict resolution, and networking.


Few women graduate knowing how to advocate for themselves in a professional setting, so they're overshadowed in meetings while being offered fewer opportunities and advancements.

Outnumbered by Men

If you feel like an outsider, you are. You're navigating an environment designed by men for men.


Culture has taught men to discount women's contributions. In male-dominated environments, it takes significant confidence and courage to back yourself.

The First Five Program equips you to — 

Develop the self-concept and skills you need to own your role.

(Social constructs be damned.)

  • Champion your own ideas.
  • Keep imposter syndrome at bay.
  • Feel secure setting boundaries.
  • Navigate conflict with less stress.
  • Seek out new opportunities.
  • Communicate with clarity and influence.
  • Get aligned with your manager.
  • Forge new connections.
  • Stay authentic in networking situations.
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Sophia - Operations Risk, Compliance and Assurance Analyst (Energy)

It's definitely boosted by confidence - I find it easier to ask for opportunities and justify why I should be getting them.  There's something to get out of it for everyone."

Deeksha - Data Scientist (Technology & Utilities)

"Before the start of this program I feel like it was really hard for me to ask for my career progressions and have difficult conversations. Now I don't shy away at all!"

Alice - Operational reporting and insights engineer (Water Utilities)

"I've been empowered by the amazing women - both those in similar situations to me in the first five years but also more experienced professional women as well."

The First Five Program

The program is structured to add support, not stress.

Phase 1: Group Coaching

8 Week Live Group Coaching, Max. 3 hours/week

To facilitate open, honest conversations about vulnerable topics, First Five Program cohorts are limited to 30 participants.

  • Weekly 60-minute Guest Expert presentation and Q&A
  • Weekly 90-minute interactive group workshop session
  • A 30-minute one-on-one deep dive call with facilitator

All sessions are recorded and available in the First Five vault.

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Phase 2: Your Community of Peers

12 Months of Community Access

Young women in male-dominated industries need to connect with other women facing similar challenges in the workplace. The First Five Community reduces isolation, bolsters confidence, and deepens participants' resource pool.

  • Monthly 90-minute virtual connection sessions
  • Quarterly 90-minute in-person meet-ups (QLD Only)

Community participation is optional, but strongly encouraged.

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Coaching Topic Highlights

Module 1: Gender

  • (Un)conscious Bias
  • Performance v. Personality Analysis
  • Expectations, Adaptations, and Values

Module 2: Self-Belief

  • Self-Confidence
  • Imposter Syndrome
  • Garnering Support

Module 3: Conflict

  • Managing Confrontation
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Personal and Professional Boundary-Setting

Module 4: Career

  • Pursuing Professional Development
  • Career Advancement
  • Promotions and Pay Raises

Module 5: Communication

  • Persuasive Dialogue
  • Clarity in Communication
  • Effective Negotiation

Module 6: Management

  • Navigating Complex Conversations
  • Giving Feedback to Superiors
  • Alignment Toward Objectives

Module 7: Networking

  • People Skills for Authentic Connections
  • Brokering Conversations
  • LinkedIn Strategy

First Five isn't just for women in hard hats.

We welcome any woman-identifying person in their first five years of work in any male-dominated industry.

Roles
  • Graduates, Apprentices, and Direct Hires
  • Civil, Chemical, Mechanical, and Site Engineers
  • Project Managers
  • Environmental Officers
  • Legal, Marketing, Human Resources, Administration, and Finance
Industries
  • Construction and Infrastructure
  • Mining and Resources
  • Water, Energy, and Utilities
  • Transportation, Logistics, and Warehousing
  • Digital and Information Technology
  • Aviation and Defence

First Five is trusted by women from a range of companies, just like yours.

First Five is trusted by women from a range of companies, just like yours.

100% of Participants Recommend It

And for all the right reasons.

Increased their ability to communicate effectively with senior managers

 

Feel equipped to stand up for themselves and champion their ideas

Have new ideas for how to successfully navigate gender equality issues 

 

 Feel more confident to manage their fear of confrontation

 

 Feel equipped to advocate for their own career progression opportunities

 

Have increased their understanding of the motivations of others

Hear from First Five graduates.

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Share with your manager
 

A selection of participants across multiple sectors.

Hear why they chose to complete the program, the impact its had, the program contents, lead facilitator feedback, advice they have for employers and other early career women. 

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Lucy - Environmental Advisor (Construction)

Less than 2 years in the construction industry after completing a 1-year grad program.

Sarah - Metallurgist (Mining & Technology)

3 years in industry after studying a Bachelors of Chemical Engineering and IT.

Jessica - Legal Counsel (Rail Infrastructure)

Moved into rail infrastructure after working in law firms.

 

Lucy - Environmental Advisor (Construction)

Less than 2 years in the construction industry after completing a 1-year grad program.

 

Sarah - Metallurgist (Mining & Technology)

3 years in industry after studying a Bachelors of Chemical Engineering and IT.

 

Jessica - Legal Counsel (Rail Infrastructure)

Moved into rail infrastructure after working in law firms.

Your value is undeniable.

If we were having coffee together right now, you'd lose track of how many times I remind you of your worth.

But because I can't be with you all the time, and because you won't get much external validation in male-dominated environments, you've got to internalise your self-worth and communicate it through your words and actions.

The First Five Program is set up to empower you to do just that.

I'm genuinely so happy you've found your way to this page and this program, and I hope we'll be talking together very soon.

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Tanya Andrews, First Five Program Lead Facilitator

Founder of Trellis Collective, Girl Shaped Flames, and UNIQ You

Meet some of our barrier-smashing guest experts.

Emma Brand

Veolia, Country Director for Aotearoa New Zealand

Autumn Pierce

Gender Equality Expert

Lauren Mua

Senior Project Engineer, BMD Group

Daisy Ambach

Senior Project Engineer, Glencore MRM

Trang Pham

Engineer and DEI Advocate, Aurecon

Jane Lowney

Senior Director, Robert Walters

 

The First Five Program Includes:

One-on-One
Coaching Session

This call offers each participant the opportunity to share her unique challenges and goals with her program facilitator.

8-Week Group
Interactive Program

A combination of self-paced learning, large-group workshops, and small-group working sessions gives participants wrap-around education and support.

Employer Feedback Presentation

Through anonymised participant feedback, your organisation will glean insights to help you create a workplace culture that attracts and retains female talent.

12 Months of
Community Access

Monthly virtual and quarterly in-person networking sessions boost participants' confidence and keeps them connected to other women in the industry.

12 Months of Learning Content

This ever-expanding vault offers participants continued professional development so they can grow their skills and maximise their potential for your organisation.

Let's do this. Together.

Decide you deserve it.

You may not fully believe you deserve a program like this (yet), but you do. And your team, organisation, and industry need your voice!

Talk to your manager.

Tap the button below, and we'll email your manager with information about the First Five Program. When you get approval, come back here to register.

Use your new confidence.

You'll leave your First Five experience knowing your value, owning your role, and preparing to advance your career. (And with a network to cheer you on!)

Register
Share with your manager

"A kickstart to your career."

-First Five Program Participant

The First Five Program is the ONLY development program designed exclusively for Early Career Women in male-dominated industries.

You've got this. We've got you.

REGISTER NOW

Trellis Collective acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.


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For Early Career Women

First Five Program