Dress for Success WA supports women facing a range of barriers to employment, including family and domestic violence, extended periods out of the workforce due to caring responsibilities, language barriers, time spent in prison and regional isolation.
Dress for Success WA’s existing career program provides one-on-one support with resume writing, interview preparation and work readiness for women looking to enter or re-enter the workforce.
They also provide a range of free skills and wellbeing workshops, tailored programs with community service partners and most recently a six-month mentoring program – InspireHer – offering a deeper level of holistic support for women re-entering the workforce.
These services help women take important steps towards employment, with MinRes’ support set to enable Dress for Success WA to expand its offering and build stronger links between clients and employers.
Additionally, Dress for Success WA will work alongside MinRes and other employment partners to develop an employment pathways framework, known as Confidence Works.
The framework will be co-designed with clients and employer partners to connect women with a network of employers offering safe and flexible roles, while providing practical support as they transition into employment – helping turn job preparation into real, sustainable job opportunities.
For Dress for Success WA client Karen, finding more consistent employment has been challenging while balancing significant caring responsibilities.
Karen is in her early sixties and spends much of her time in Perth to be close to her husband while he receives medical care. Despite decades of customer service experience, she has experienced challenges securing a role that recognises her skills and accommodates her circumstances.
“Not having work can destroy your self-esteem, particularly when you are applying for jobs and not hearing back,” Karen said.
“Dress for Success WA has helped me with my interview coaching, styling and mentoring. They have believed in me, which has given me more confidence to put myself forward for job interviews.
“I’m beginning to learn it's who you know. You can have the skills and present yourself well, but an introduction can save a lot of time.”
Dress for Success WA Chief Executive Officer Natalie Sangalli said the partnership with MinRes was intended to help clients like Karen turn employment preparation into meaningful job opportunities.
“The partnership will allow us the space to deepen our service impact, from what has historically been brief interventions, to more enduring support relationships that can focus on a woman holistically,” Sangalli said.
“We have seen the benefits of deeper relationships through our very first Mentor Program, with all 10 women who started in February celebrating the conclusion in September, with many indicating they want to remain engaged.
“The Confidence Works program will provide an enduring template for workplaces to understand the kinds of challenges and barriers Dress for Success WA clients may have faced and a support journey for women as they transition into an employment space that may be pretty terrifying if you haven’t done if for a while.”
MinRes Manager Partnerships Kasey Sandstrom said the partnership reflected MinRes’ commitment to supporting local organisations that create practical opportunities for people across Western Australia.
‘‘Through our social investment program, MinRes partners with not-for-profit organisations that equip people with the practical skills, support and opportunities they need to succeed,” Sandstrom said.
“Dress for Success WA is already doing important work to help women build the confidence and skills they need to prepare for employment.
"We are pleased to support the next stage which will create more opportunities for women to enter and succeed in the workplace.”
Learn more about MinRes' social investment program.
