The Tasmania Division of Engineers Australia has launched its 2019 Driving Diversity in Engineering Scholarships, aimed at supporting women to enrol in engineering qualifications.
The scholarship program, which provides financial support and industry experience to female students, has been doubled from two to four scholarships, said Engineering Australia General Manager Dr Vicki Gardiner.
“Hydro Tasmania and Caterpillar are again our major partners, now joined by Bell Bay Aluminium with Engineers Australia for this program,” Dr Gardiner said.
“This year Hydro Tasmania will sponsor two scholarships of $5,000 for a young woman entering her first year of an engineering qualification. We have been joined by Bell Bay Aluminium, while Caterpillar are also returning to sponsor another scholarship.
“The program will include students at the University of Tasmania School of Engineering in Hobart, the Australian Maritime College in Launceston, and engineering paraprofessional qualifications from TasTAFE and University College.”
The scholarship program aims to increase the numbers of women in engineering – still only 8% in Tasmania.
“Increasing the number of women in the profession will improve overall engineering outcomes in Tasmania, with diversity in the workplace widely acknowledged as improving overall organisation performance”, said Dr Gardiner.
“Combining a variety of experiences and different approaches to thinking leads to better outcomes, better decision-making and better solutions, and will benefit the Tasmanian community.”
Hydro Tasmania CEO Steve Davy said the business was working hard to increase the number of women in its ranks.
“Currently just under one-third of our 1100 staff are women, and we are working to increase that ratio,” Mr Davy said.
“Young women need to know engineering is no longer a boys’ club, that a strong career is within their reach, and businesses like Hydro Tasmania will support them.
“That’s why we’re delighted to pump up our support for the Women in Engineering Scholarship.”
Lou Clark, Principal Advisor Communities, Bell Bay Aluminium, said woman make up 13.8% of Bell Bay Aluminium’s workforce.
“We recognise the significant benefit to be gained by increasing the diversity of our workforce and attracting high quality female employees across a range of roles,” Ms Clark said.
“It’s important that we have a workforce that reflects the community in which we operate. Support of this scholarship provides opportunity and encouragement, and goes some way to eliminating barriers to young Tasmanian girls and women who want to participate in STEM education and engineering careers.”
Caterpillar Human Resources Manager Brett Smith said Caterpillar is delighted to be involved with Engineers Australia in making these scholarships available to assist women to pursue a career in engineering.
“Caterpillar has a strong commitment to all aspects of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and we are acutely aware of the benefits of a good diversity and inclusion strategy for both employees and the business,” Mr Smith said.
The Driving Diversity in Engineering Scholarship program, now in its second year, is part of Engineers Australia’s Tasmanian Women in Engineering strategy.
It also follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Tasmania, designed to strengthen knowledge and capacity in the State and further afield, said Dr Gardiner.
“This partnership will see Engineers Australia and the University of Tasmania collaborate to increase Tasmania’s engineering capability and support a diverse and credentialed engineering workforce.
“Engineering is an enabling profession and is recognised internationally as critical to improving standards of living, solving societal issues and sustainable economic growth.”
Applications are now open to Year 12 female students enrolling in the first year of an engineering qualification, closing on 31 January 2019. Students can apply here.