Gippsland Water helps inspire next generation of STEM sisters
Local year 10 students were given a taste of what Gippsland-based careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) can look like during a tour of three major employer sites this week.
Students from Lowanna College and Traralgon College visited the Gippsland Water Factory, AGL Loy Yang and Latrobe Regional Hospital as part of the Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning and Employment Network’s STEM Sisters program, which aims to encourage female students to pursue careers in STEM-related fields.
Gippsland Water managing director Sarah Cumming said the organisation was pleased to to showcase the important role it plays in providing local career paths for young women.
“We’re proud to employ many passionate and driven women who work as engineers, scientific officers, laboratory officers, water treatment technologists and operations managers,” Ms Cumming said.
“During the STEM Sisters’ visit to our Gippsland water factory, five of our team members spoke about their own career paths, why they enjoy working in the water industry and the opportunities that exist right here in Gippsland.
“It was also an opportunity for us to share insights into how working in a STEM-related organisation can be especially rewarding, in that we get to see the positive impact of the work we do each day in our local communities.”
Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN chief executive Lisa Price said the organisation was grateful to have local businesses, such as Gippsland Water, supporting their staff to volunteer their time to inspire and empower the next generation of women in the area.
“The program goal is to work collaboratively with various local industries across Gippsland to connect our STEM Sisters to a range of professional women who are currently working in STEM fields,” Ms Price said.
“We know that girls’ interest in STEM almost doubles when they have role models who they can connect with, so it is important to expose our students to a wide range of women working in STEM across our community.”
To find out more about the STEM Sisters program, visit https://www.bawbawlatrobellen.com.au/programs/
