Coles Sets Launches $1 Million Fundraising Campaign to Support Vulnerable Women Seeking Employment
Coles has announced a significant initiative aimed at raising Coles Sets $1 million for the Australian women’s charity, Fitted for Work. The funds generated through this campaign will directly support vulnerable women and gender-diverse job seekers by helping them secure stable employment and gain economic independence.
Fitted for Work is a well-established organization dedicated to assisting women facing barriers to employment. The charity provides a range of services, including outfitting support, Coles Sets mentorship, resume writing assistance, and interview coaching. By equipping women with the skills and confidence necessary to enter or re-enter the workforce, Fitted for Work plays a critical role in shortening job search periods. On average, the organization helps reduce the duration of unemployment by 26 weeks—or approximately 48%—for the women it serves.
According to recent labor market data, approximately 1.3 million women in Australia are either unemployed or seeking additional work hours. Coles Sets Additionally, statistics indicate that one in two unemployed women remain without work for three months or more. Given this reality, the support provided by Fitted for Work is more crucial than ever. Through this fundraising initiative, Coles aims to fast-track the employment process for these women, allowing them to achieve financial independence and workplace stability at a much quicker pace.
The Fundraising Campaign: How It Works
From now until Tuesday, March 4, Coles will contribute 15 cents from the sale of all participating women’s products to Fitted for Work. This initiative applies to a variety of product categories, including:
- Women’s skincare (excluding suncare products)
- Grooming essentials
- Haircare and cosmetics
- Vitamins and supplements
- Period and continence care products
- Women’s apparel
These contributions will be applied to both in-store and online purchases at Coles, with a fundraising cap set at $1 million. The funds raised will allow Coles Sets Fitted for Work to extend its services to an estimated 1,400 women, empowering them with the necessary tools and training to secure stable employment.
Over the past year, demand for Fitted for Work’s services has surged by 17%, reflecting the growing need for employment assistance among vulnerable groups. Specifically, the organization has seen a:
- 7% increase in demand from single mothers
- 33% increase in requests for support from trans and gender-diverse individuals
- 67% rise in demand from women affected by domestic and family violence
Given these statistics, the funds raised through this campaign will play a crucial role in addressing unemployment challenges and providing vital support to those who need it most.
Celebrity Support: Julie Goodwin’s Involvement
Coles Sets To amplify the campaign’s impact, Fitted for Work has enlisted the support of ambassador and MasterChef Australia Season 1 winner, Julie Goodwin. Goodwin, who has had a diverse career journey—from cleaning houses and singing at weddings to working in youth services before achieving fame as a chef and food personality—feels a deep personal connection to this cause.
Reflecting on her own career path, Goodwin shared her experiences with the Coles Sets uncertainties of employment. “I know from personal experience the importance of having meaningful employment, and the challenges that women face in looking for work. That’s why I’m so motivated to support Fitted for Work,” she said.
“When I was a teenager, I wanted to become a criminal lawyer or a journalist, but a series of events threw my career aspirations off the rails. Then, when I had my boys, I went from a career in youth work to taking whatever small jobs I could fit around our family life.”
Goodwin emphasized that organizations like Fitted for Work offer vital support to women who face employment barriers. “Having the support of an organization like Fitted for Work helps women who find themselves sidelined from employment for any number of reasons. They gain confidence, develop new skills, and establish crucial connections that enable them to join or rejoin the workforce.”
Coles Sets She further highlighted the deeper significance of employment, beyond just financial earnings. “Meaningful employment provides women with connection and community, purpose and confidence, and agency and power over their own lives,” Goodwin explained.
Goodwin is encouraging Coles customers to contribute to the campaign simply by purchasing eligible women’s health and beauty products. “Adding a participating women’s health and beauty product to your shopping basket over the next two weeks will raise the funds needed to continue Fitted for Work’s amazing mission to create an equal, positive, and powerful future for women in the workplace,” she stated.
Coles’ Commitment to Gender Equity in the Workplace
Coles Sets Group Corporate & Indigenous Affairs Officer, Sally Fielke, emphasized the company’s commitment to gender equity and workforce inclusion. “At Coles, we know the positive effects that employment can have on women, particularly those who are vulnerable or who face extra challenges in finding work,” she said.
Fielke reaffirmed that Coles takes pride in its efforts to promote workplace gender equity. “Coles Sets is proud to be an employer of choice for gender equity. We are committed to closing the gender pay gap, promoting flexible work arrangements, and increasing women’s leadership representation,” she added.
Through internal initiatives and partnerships with organizations such as Fitted for Work and Mentor Walks, Coles aims to empower women across all stages of their careers. These partnerships help female employees and job seekers build leadership skills, develop confidence, and secure meaningful employment opportunities.
The Broader Impact: Why This Initiative Matters
While Coles Sets campaign directly supports Fitted for Work’s employment assistance programs, its impact extends far beyond job placement. When women secure stable employment, they gain financial independence, which has a positive ripple effect on families and communities.
Studies have shown that when women are employed, they are more likely to invest in their children’s education, health, and overall well-being. Moreover, workforce participation fosters greater self-esteem and mental health stability among women who may have previously faced hardships, discrimination, or exclusion from economic opportunities.
Additionally, supporting trans and gender-diverse individuals in their employment journeys is a crucial step toward fostering workplace inclusion. As Fitted for Work continues to expand its services to meet the needs of diverse job seekers, Coles Sets fundraising efforts will help ensure that employment barriers are reduced for all women, regardless of their background or circumstances.
How Customers Can Get Involved
Supporting this initiative is simple for Coles Sets shoppers. By purchasing participating women’s products in-store or online, customers can directly contribute to the $1 million fundraising goal. Every purchase of an eligible skincare, grooming, haircare, cosmetic, vitamin, period care, or apparel product helps generate funds for Fitted for Work’s programs.
Additionally, customers can spread awareness by sharing information about the campaign on social media, encouraging friends and family to participate, or learning more about the work Fitted for Work does in communities across Australia.
As Coles Sets continues to champion workplace equity and economic empowerment, this initiative marks the fourth consecutive year of the company’s partnership with Fitted for Work. By leveraging its nationwide presence and consumer reach, Coles is making it easier for Australians to contribute to a meaningful cause with every purchase.
Through this initiative, thousands of women will gain access to job-readiness training, mentorship, and resources needed to achieve long-term career success. As more businesses and individuals come together to support gender equity in employment, campaigns like this pave the way for a future where every woman, regardless of her background, has the opportunity to thrive in the workforce.
With the fundraising campaign running until March 4, there’s no better time for shoppers to make a difference. Every small purchase adds up, bringing Coles one step closer to reaching its $1 million goal—and helping thousands of women build brighter futures through meaningful employment.
