Published Wednesday, 08 August, 2007 at 08:19 AM
Minister for Tourism, Fair Trading, Wine Industry Development and Women
The Honourable Margaret Keech
TOWNSVILLE CAREERS MARKET HOSTS GIRLS IN HARD HATS
Minister for Women, Margaret Keech, is inviting Townsville 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 Townsville Careers Expo next Monday (13 August) will provide an exciting and interactive forum for girls.
"The panel session organised by the Queensland Government's Office for Women will showcase successful women working in non traditional fields," Mrs Keech said.
"The 'Girls in Hard Hats' program is about opening girls' eyes to the possibilities of working in traditionally male dominated fields.
"There are many talented women working in these fields having an absolute ball.
"They have a fantastic lifestyle, earn great money and work on projects that truly make a difference," she said.
Kelly Stokes, one of the four panel members sharing her story on the day, is a Project Engineer at Citiwater in the Townsville City Council.
"I was always interested in having a career, not just a job. I was good at maths and science at school and I went to a university open day and talked to every department that had something to do with those subjects,” Kelly said.
Carla Valmorbida, another panel member at the event, is a Project Engineer at Baulderstone Hornibrook and graduated from Civil Engineering at Melbourne University in 2005.
“Having a position in the construction industry allows you extensive opportunities to travel both within Australia and overseas. It’s a fantastic experience to be working with a new group of people in a new location every few years,” Ms Valmorbida said.
Panellist Carla Boehl a Senior Civil Design Engineer at Citiwater, Townsville City Council said there is no such thing as a typical day at work.
“One day I sit doing computer modelling and another I run through different construction sites.
“Just because you are a girl, doesn’t mean you’ll have to be a teacher or a nurse or any of the other assistant positions traditionally done by women.”
Panel member Loretta Reid is the Director of the Sales Team at Safe Options Solutions and has over 20 years of experience in rigging and height safety equipment.
"The reality is Queensland needs more women in 'hard hat' careers and the 'Girls in Hard Hats' program is just one way the Queensland Government is working to break down gender stereotypes and inspire women to consider different career paths," Mrs Keech said.
The 'Girls in Hard Hats' panel event will take place at the Townsville Careers Expo, Ignatius Park College - Edmund Rice Hall, 368 Ross River Road, Cranbrook, Monday 13 August at 11:15am and 5:15pm.
For more information go to www.women.qld.gov.au/hardhats or call 1800 177 577.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3225 1005
Mrs Keech said the 'Girls in Hard Hats' panel event at the Townsville Careers Expo next Monday (13 August) will provide an exciting and interactive forum for girls.
"The panel session organised by the Queensland Government's Office for Women will showcase successful women working in non traditional fields," Mrs Keech said.
"The 'Girls in Hard Hats' program is about opening girls' eyes to the possibilities of working in traditionally male dominated fields.
"There are many talented women working in these fields having an absolute ball.
"They have a fantastic lifestyle, earn great money and work on projects that truly make a difference," she said.
Kelly Stokes, one of the four panel members sharing her story on the day, is a Project Engineer at Citiwater in the Townsville City Council.
"I was always interested in having a career, not just a job. I was good at maths and science at school and I went to a university open day and talked to every department that had something to do with those subjects,” Kelly said.
Carla Valmorbida, another panel member at the event, is a Project Engineer at Baulderstone Hornibrook and graduated from Civil Engineering at Melbourne University in 2005.
“Having a position in the construction industry allows you extensive opportunities to travel both within Australia and overseas. It’s a fantastic experience to be working with a new group of people in a new location every few years,” Ms Valmorbida said.
Panellist Carla Boehl a Senior Civil Design Engineer at Citiwater, Townsville City Council said there is no such thing as a typical day at work.
“One day I sit doing computer modelling and another I run through different construction sites.
“Just because you are a girl, doesn’t mean you’ll have to be a teacher or a nurse or any of the other assistant positions traditionally done by women.”
Panel member Loretta Reid is the Director of the Sales Team at Safe Options Solutions and has over 20 years of experience in rigging and height safety equipment.
"The reality is Queensland needs more women in 'hard hat' careers and the 'Girls in Hard Hats' program is just one way the Queensland Government is working to break down gender stereotypes and inspire women to consider different career paths," Mrs Keech said.
The 'Girls in Hard Hats' panel event will take place at the Townsville Careers Expo, Ignatius Park College - Edmund Rice Hall, 368 Ross River Road, Cranbrook, Monday 13 August at 11:15am and 5:15pm.
For more information go to www.women.qld.gov.au/hardhats or call 1800 177 577.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3225 1005