Audrey Fagan Board Traineeship Program

The Audrey Fagan Board Traineeship program aims to increase the representation of women and gender diverse people on ACT boards and committees.

We connect women and gender diverse people with a mentor and provide training in corporate governance, leadership and decision-making. Participants attend board meetings and build the experience they need to join a board.

The program improves women’s career prospects and helps grow their professional networks.

The program is free and unpaid for all participants (mentees, mentors and boards). There is no guarantee of securing a board position through the program.

This is not an accredited course, but each participant will receive a certificate of completion.

Application dates

Applications are currently closed.

The open and close dates will be listed here when the program is open.

About the program

The program runs over 5 months from the start date. The mentoring relationship and attendance at board meetings may extend beyond this period.

The program includes:

• face-to-face workshops
• board orientation
• attendance at scheduled board meetings as a non-member participant
• regular one-on-one meetings with your mentor/s
• work site visits (if applicable)

The workshops are held once a month on a Thursday. Dates will be confirmed with participants.

The first workshop is a chance for mentees to meet their mentors and gives an overview of the program.

The following workshops are for mentees and will cover:

• leadership and communication
• board governance
• board decision-making
• managing risks
• financial responsibilities
• legal responsibilities
• managing your director career.

Participants are given activities at the end of each workshop related to the topic.

This is not an accredited course, but each mentee will receive a certificate of completion.

Who can apply?

Mentees

Any woman or gender diverse person with an interest in governance can apply to be a mentee (someone who is mentored).

We give preference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, LGBTIQ women, women with disability, women working in traditionally male dominated fields and women who have not had the chance to attend other leadership training. We also give preference to people who are not ACT Public Service employees.

You can’t apply if you’ve already participated in this (or a similar) program.

How to apply

When the program is open, you can apply using the online form below. We don’t accept applications by post or email.

We use the information you give us to assess you for the program and match you with a board or committee. We’ll consider your preferences and areas of interest but can’t guarantee we’ll be able to match them.

If you’re interested in working with a particular board, we recommend you contact them and encourage them to participate in the program. You can contact us for information you can give them.

Apply now online to be a mentee

We will send an email acknowledging we have received your application.

We don’t hold interviews, but we may contact you if we need more information.

We will then email you letting you know whether you have been successful.

Mentors

Mentors help prepare other women for places on boards. It gives you the personal satisfaction of helping others. It can also increase the diversity of ideas and thinking available to your board or committee.

Any current member of a board or committee can be a mentor.

Any government, private or community board or committee can participate in the program.

The board or committee must agree that mentees can attend board meetings as non‑participant observers.

Mentors will need to go to the introductory workshop to meet their mentee and hear more about the program and their responsibilities.

They also need to have regular meetings with their mentee. We suggest at least one session following each of the workshop sessions.

Mentors will also be asked to participate in an evaluation to assess the effectiveness of this program.

How to apply

When the program is open, you can apply using the online form below. We don’t accept applications sent by post or email.

Apply now online to be a mentor

Before being accepted to the program, boards and mentors must declare their organisation or company complies with Fair Work legislation and is not currently subject to open complaints through Work Safe ACT.

Contact us for help

About Audrey Fagan

Audrey Fagan was the ACT’s first female Chief Police Officer.

In 2007, the ACT Government established The Audrey Fagan Programs to honour her memory and celebrate her contribution to women in public life at the highest level.

The Audrey Fagan programs include Board Traineeship, Leadership and Communication and Enrichment Grants. These programs seek to promote gender equality, women’s safety and inspire women who are making a difference.