A new digital engineering academy has been established to support the next generation of engineers, particularly young women.
The partnership between Engineers Australia and Year 13, a platform that aides students in the school-to-work transition, is an online initiative aimed at strengthening Australia’s engineering pipeline.
Engineers Australia Chief Engineer Katherine Richards said the Engineered for Impact program aimed to demystifying engineering and highlight its impact society.
Ms Richards said it was created to inspire school students who may never have considered engineering as a career option.
“It showcases real stories from young professionals and provides young people with the tools and confidence to pursue careers in engineering, where women remain significantly underrepresented,” she said.
Ms Richards said there was a need 60,000 additional engineering graduates over the next decade to help address many complex global challenges.
“So many projects underway and in the pipeline whether they be infrastructure, manufacturing, smart technologies, transition to net zero, all require engineers.”
She said women remained significantly underrepresented in STEM-qualified fields, making up just 15 percent of the workforce.
“In engineering, women make up only 16 percent of the engineering workforce, and only 4.1 percent of the engineering qualified labour force are women born in Australia.”
