WAVE is a national network of women involved in VET, ACE and the broad field of work-related education and training. WAVE provides seminars & workshops, research, policy advocacy and advice, as well as networking on a national and state basis. We are supported within each state by local representation that in turn contributes collaboratively to national events and governance.

WAVE was formed in 1987, the first and only national and autonomous non-government organisation for Australian women in the adult, community and vocational education and training sector. For the first 14 years we called ourselves the Network of Women in Further Education. (NOW in FE)

Our members are teachers, trainers, co-ordinators, administrators & managers, policy workers, academics, HR personnel, students, public servants, and politicians with an interest in ACE VET and work-related education and training.

We are a feminist organisation. We connect our members with one another through mutual support, exploration of ideas, and well thought through advocacy. We value diversity and critical intelligence. We believe in the importance of ACE and VET for women and men, for local community life, and also for the contribution it makes to the success of the nation.

Purposes:

• To provide a national feminist network for women who work and study in adult, vocational and work-related education and/or training.
• To provide advice and advocacy on behalf of members to decision makers in relation to the adult and vocational education sectors.
• To promote social justice and equity in and through adult and vocational education institutions, policies and practices.
• To strengthen links and build areas of mutual co-operation with other organisations, local, national and international, including but not limited to, women’s and adult and vocational organisations.
• To undertake research which will advance the interests of women in adult, vocational and work-related education and training.

Themes:

We’re interested in all national and state policy development in VET and ACE, and in practices and issues like pedagogy, pathways, accreditation, curriculum development, workplace learning, the role of ICT in VET and ACE, VET in schools, the welfare of teachers, child care, the role of volunteers in ACE, and the needs of women from diverse backgrounds, including rural and remote, low SES, disabled women, Indigenous and bi-lingual women in Australia’s multicultural society.

WAVE is an active member organisation of Security4Women – one of the 4 national secretariats of national women’s organisations providing links and information from the field to inform policy and government concerning women. WAVE has over the past 2 years conducted several VET research projects supported by S4W.