Raising the profile of women engineers in Australia and inspiring the next generation

Dipak Kushe, member of the Equality and Diversity Steering Group (EDSG) organised inspirational talks by Australian women engineers to celebrate the success of Australian women engineers and inspire girls year 8-12, especially aboriginal & indigenous society to pursue engineering degrees.

The event which promoted women in engineering, provided engineering exposure to female students studying at high schools in Whyalla, South Australia. Students have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about engineering.

‘It was an amazing opportunity to gain invaluable insight into a variety of engineering disciplines. The presentations were inspiring as well as encompassing and I adored hearing different perspectives and life stories. It has definitely helped me feel more motivated than ever to pursue science ‘– said Paris, Year 11, Samaritan College, Whyllala South Australia

Traditionally, women have been under-represented in engineering. A particular area of growing concern is within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) industries where, according to a 2016 report by Australia's Chief Scientist, women make up just 16 percent of all jobs. Women make up only 18 to 20 percent of engineering students overall. In senior roles and board representation, the ratio drops to 15 percent.

The national average for enrolment of women engineers in Australia is closer to 17%, but active recruitment of women is in progress with set a goal of boosting female enrolments to 30% by 2020. In recent decades, women in Australia have made significant strides towards equality with men.

At universities, in workplaces, in boardrooms and in government, a growing number of women have taken on leadership roles, forging pathways for other women and girls to follow.

With 75 percent of all jobs estimated to require STEM skills by 2026, Australia has created 40,000 ICT jobs in Australia in the last two years alone, upping the sector's female employee number is a must.

Thankfully, Australia has some incredible women already stepping up to the gender equality challenge, promoting a positive change in the way STEM careers are represented and offering girls and young women inspiring role models to look up to for advice.

The event was hosted and supported by the Leadership Team and employees of Liberty Primary Steel, Whyalla, South Australia.

The guests of honour were:

• Peter Rostig – Plant Manager, Steel Products, Liberty Primary Steel
• Ryan Andrews – Acting Engineering Services Manager, Liberty Primary Steel.

The event was attended by 60 delegates. The students were taken on a guided tour of the steelworks by Liberty Primary Steel staff.

A number of STEM activities were available to students to have a greater understanding of the engineering equipment with applications displayed for:

• Steel products and iron making/ore
• Mechanical engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Civil engineering
• Environmental science.

Senior Reliability Engineer and EDSG committee member, Dipak Kushe, said there was a need for more women to get involved in the STEM industry, in which just 17 percent of women pursue a long-term career.

“Only 15 percent of those are in top management positions,” he said. “This event gave students an opportunity to try the flavor of what engineering is all about. We focused on four parts of the industry – mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering and environmental science.”

Find out more about Equality and Diversity Steering Group (EDSG) which provides guidance and advice to our Trustee Board on equality and diversity matters.