HVIA grants have enabled Transport Women Australia to support female apprentices working in the heavy vehicle industry with life-changing scholarships that enable them to continue their trades careers.
A total of five $3,000 scholarships were awarded in June 2025 to deserving recipients experiencing critical cost-of-living pressures whilst undertaking their apprenticeship. Recipients included (see their stories further below):
> Erin, a first-year heavy diesel technician from NSW;
> Casey, a second-year heavy diesel technician from QLD;
> Kathryn, a second-year heavy diesel technician from NSW;
> Meggan, a third-year heavy diesel technician from SA; and
> Mariah, a first-year heavy diesel technician from VIC.
Findings Of The Scholarship Process
> Some 83 per cent of scholarship applicants confirmed that they regularly experienced financial hardship and stress.
> Qualitative feedback confirmed that cost-of-living stress encountered resulted in low mental well-being rates, affected ability to focus on their chosen trade, and caused some to question whether they would be able to carry on in their apprenticeship.
> Only two per cent of applicants identified as another gender other than woman, female or feminine, aligning with lower rates of transgender, LGBTQIA and non-binary persons representation in heavy vehicle industry.
> Highest rate of applicants were first-year apprentices (35 per cent), aligning with low apprenticeship wages in first year. This was closely followed by second-year applicants (28 per cent).
> Only eight per cent of applicants identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, with none identifying as CaLD, aligning with lower representation for intersectional women in the heavy vehicle industry.
> Highest age category of applicants was 25-29 years of age, corresponding with research identifying a higher rate of women entering the industry as mature-aged apprentices (25 per cent). This was followed by the 15-19 years of age category (23 per cent of applicants).
> 52 per cent of applicants were from socio economically disadvantaged regions.
> Applicants living at home paying board and other expenses were the highest category of applicants at 17 per cent, closely followed by individuals being supported at home or living in a partnership without dependents (16 per cent).
> Highest cost of living pressure areas identified by applicants included tools (28 per cent), groceries (27 per cent) and rent (19 per cent).
The Recipients Stories
Mariah Condor
Mariah is a 19-year-old first year heavy diesel technician in Victoria. Courageously pursuing the trade of her dreams, Mariah noted: “As a female in a male-dominated industry … I don’t like letting (being in a male-dominated industry) stop me.” Noting that she has “never had anything handed to me” and “learning that hard work pays off”, she confirmed that she needed critical financial support to keep travelling to work. “I’ve been … struggling with my car … (it) has led me into financial debt. This scholarship is going to help me immensely in being that … step forward … with everyday financial challenges. I’m so happy and proud to be one of the winners.”
Erin Simpson
Erin is a 30-year-old mature age apprentice currently working as a heavy diesel technician in NSW. Working to support herself and her eight-month on a first-year apprenticeship wage in a socially disadvantaged region, she confirmed the everyday struggle she encountered in working in the trade career she loved whilst battling cost-of-living pressures: “Being a mature-age apprentice with an eight-month-old baby on apprenticeship wages is tough! We get by, but it doesn’t leave a lot of spare funds.” The scholarship will support Erin to acquire the tools she needs for her work: “This scholarship…will allow me (to) make my day-to-day jobs easier at work. Without this scholarship it would have taken me a long time to get together the money for tools.”
Kathryn Dedini
Kathryn is a 31-year-old heavy diesel technician in NSW. Progressing into her second year, she confirmed the financial stress she continuously encountered in supporting herself and her children on a single apprenticeship income to cover rent and food bills. “(The scholarship) will help me focus on completing my apprenticeship … and offering me a bit of very appreciated breathing room as a single mum undertaking an apprenticeship.” Kathryn stated her gratitude in becoming an HVIA scholar in 2025. “I am grateful to have been selected … (it will support me to) raise my kids with more hope.”
Casey Field
Casey is a 37-year-old second year heavy vehicle technician located in QLD. Struggling with cost-of-living pressures as a single mother of three children, she confirmed she needed support to “take some pressure off (her) as the sole provider for my family and help … afford some … tools for my trade.” The scholarship provided necessary relief in cost-of-living areas such as groceries, mortgage, petrol and tools. “Fantastic organisations like (HVIA and TWA) really help in supporting people to live the dream of completing their trade.”
Meggan Howell
Meggan is a 27-year-old third year heavy diesel technician in SA. Working in the career of her dreams, she said she’d encountered financial stress regularly in managing cost-of-living pressures on an apprenticeship wage. “(This scholarship) will help reduce the stress … I experience (and) improve my mental well-being.”. Being able to cover costs associated with groceries, rent and work tools, she gratefully acknowledged that the scholarship would “allow me to focus on developing my skills and progressing in my trade without the pressure of financial hardship.”