The engineering council said it plans to use the 2007 initiative to address some of the cultural and workplace issues hindering women in the sector.
“The purpose of the year is to increase the awareness amongst the profession and industry of the role and contribution of women and showcase their achievements,” Engineers Australia said.
“It will be an opportunity to further the vision that the engineering profession offers a sustainable and fulfilling career for women.”
Women account for less than 10% of the engineering workforce in Australia.
Western Australia Division of Engineers Australia executive director Janice Lake says recruiting more female engineers – particularly university students – is vital in the wake of the nation’s skills shortage.
“Our biggest task is to encourage women to study engineering,” she said.
“But it also goes beyond that and looking at the workforce itself.
“Historically, the profession hasn’t needed to be so family-friendly because it’s been very male-dominated. But now we need the industry to think about that and focus on becoming more flexible, which benefits men as well.”
Lake said making sure women understand that engineering is not just a “blokey” profession might help in attracting more females into the field.
The profession needed to more to make women realise that engineering is a well-paid, diverse career that can “make a difference” to tackling environmental problems.
She also said the industry would have far better outcomes if more women enter the sector.
“Having more women injects a more rounded approach that gives a better workplace overall and provides more balanced outcomes, whether it be in engineering or any other industry,” Lake said.
The WA division said it has already put together an “extensive” program of events for 2007, including a “high-profile” cocktail party launch to be held on February 15, at Mt Eliza House in Kings Park.
The first activity for the technical program will be a half-day workshop, How to Attract and Retain a Diverse Workforce, for engineering managers on March 1.
The group will also participate in International Women’s Day celebrations in March, holding a number of events particularly targeted at female high school students and profiling women engineers.
For more information visit www.engineersaustralia.org.au
