Girls in Hard Hats hits the Sunny Coast

Minister for Women Margaret Keech is inviting Sunshine Coast girls to take a peek into the lives of women in hard hats.

Mrs Keech said the Girls in Hard Hats panel event at the Goodlife Community and Recreation Centre at Maroochydore on Thursday July 19 2007 would provide an exciting and interactive forum for girls.

“The panel session organised by the Queensland Government's Office for Women will showcase successful women who are making it in non-traditional fields,” Mrs Keech said.

“The Girls in Hard Hats program is about opening young girls’ eyes to the possibilities of working in mining and construction.”

There are many talented women working in mining and construction having an absolute ball.

“They have a fantastic lifestyle, earn great money and work on projects that truly make a difference.

Eve Willems, a Senior Project Manager at GHD and one of the panel members sharing her story on the day says she thoroughly enjoys what she does for a living and looks forward to work everyday.

“Since completing my engineering and law degrees, I have had a wide range of satisfying and interesting career opportunities,” Ms Willems said.

“I have been involved in all types of projects such as schools, roads, golf course estates, sugar sheds the size of football fields, civil subdivisions, construction disputes and mediations.

Sunshine coast girls may next year have their career options widened as the University of the Sunshine Coast has applied to commence two engineering programs.

The University’s Engineering Program Co-ordinator Richard White said the University has decided to offer these two programs because of the high current demand for engineers with these skills and expertise, both in the Sunshine Coast region and throughout Australia.

“Although there tends to be more male engineers than female engineers working in these fields, industry, governments and professional bodies are actively promoting and encouraging women to enter the workforce in these industries.

“The high demand for qualified engineers means starting salaries are attractive and the work is challenging and satisfying,” said Mr White.

“The reality is Queensland needs more women in hard hats and the Girls in Hard Hats program is just one example of how the Queensland Government is working to break down gender stereotypes and inspire women to consider different career paths,” Mrs Keech said.

“Audience members will be able to interact with the panel and ask questions during the Girls in Hard Hats session which will be facilitated by an MC.”

For more information go to www.women.qld.gov.au/seminars or call 1800 177 577. For more information on the University of the Sunshine Coast’s 2008 engineering course visit www.usc.edu.au.

Media contacts: Joanna Whitaker 3224 2005 / Carmen Uzarevic 3006 4188