ACTION PLAN TO CHART NEW COURSES FOR WOMEN

The Beattie Government’s new Smart Women – Smart State Action Plan will see more Queensland women and girls taking up exciting opportunities in science, engineering and technology.

Minister for Women Margaret Keech today said the Action Plan would increase education, training and employment opportunities for women in science, engineering and technology (SET) industries.

“For far too long, the brilliance of Queensland women and girls in these fields has been under-estimated and under-represented and this Action Plan maps out how we can change this over the next three years,” Mrs Keech said in Brisbane on the eve of International Women’s Day.

“We will do this by raising awareness of SET careers and industries among women; encouraging partnerships; and helping women to move between education, training and employment.

“There’s a lot to be gained for the future of this state. Attracting, retaining and advancing women in the labour market will address some of the skill shortages in SET careers.

“This Plan is not only about attracting more women into SET industries, it’s about supporting and encouraging them into the more senior positions of leadership.”

The Action Plan was developed by the Smart Women – Smart State Taskforce which is supported by the Queensland Government’s Office for Women.

“Taskforce members come from the tertiary education sector, SET industries and government departments and they must be congratulated for their wide-ranging efforts,” Mrs Keech said.

“The Taskforce is proud of this Action Plan and we are confident that positive benefits can be realised for women and girls in Queensland.”

Mrs Keech said women made up 50.3 per cent of the Queensland population yet constituted only 34 per cent of the SET workforce.

“In 2005, women made up 16.7 per cent of information technology professionals in Queensland, while only 7 per cent of engineers and 36 per cent of natural and physical scientists were women.

“The Smart Women – SmartState Awards this year attracted 94 nominations, showing that women and girls are achieving amazing things in science, engineering and technology.

“Imagine what would happen if we could increase the proportion of women in SET industries!”

A background paper – ‘Supporting Women’s Participation in Emerging Industries: Science, Engineering and Technology’ has been developed to accompany the Action Plan.

Both papers are available on the Office for Women website at www.women.qld.gov.au.

Media contacts: Jo Gibbons 3224 2007 or David Smith 3225 1005