Empowering Women in Energy: From Classroom to Career

Join us for a compelling event exploring the crucial role of STEM education for girls in shaping a workforce ready to lead the energy transition.

Empowering Women in Energy: from Classroom to Career will highlight the importance of early STEM engagement for girls and the diverse opportunities it creates for future leaders in clean energy.

As the clean energy sector begins to boom, Australia cannot keep pace with its race to net zero without the active participation of women, who currently face significant underrepresentation. According to Jobs and Skills Australia's 'The Clean Energy Generation' report, women dominate in general clerical roles within the sector but are rarely seen in trade qualified or engineering positions. With the projected need for 32,000 more electricians and nearly 2 million workers in building and engineering trades by 2050, it is crucial to foster an inclusive environment that encourages women to pursue and excel in these roles.

This event is perfect for industry leaders, HR professionals, and educators, offering invaluable insights from both industry and community leaders on creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. Join us to understand more about the structural and cultural barriers preventing girls from pursuing STEM and how we can collectively work to dismantle them.

For a line-up of our inspiring speakers, please check out the Agenda section above.

9.00am: Registration opens

9.30am: Event begins

11.00am: Event concludes

Morning tea will be provided.

Unleashing Innovation: The Power of Diversity in Clean Energy

Hear about the diverse career opportunities in clean energy beyond traditional technical roles and the essential skills needed for the energy transition. This topic highlights how a diverse and skilled workforce is crucial for overcoming the sector’s challenges and driving innovation.

This session will also explore how industry partnerships can enhance STEM accessibility and engagement for girls. Learn from female role models from a range of career backgrounds who will share insights on creating inspiring and inclusive environments, demonstrating how a diverse workforce can lead to groundbreaking advancements in clean energy.

Sparking Lifelong Passion: Strategies for Sustaining STEM Engagement in Girls

This panel discusses the trend of school-aged girls opting out of STEM subjects and the importance of early-intervention to ensure future career pathways remain open to all. Hear from Anna-Grace Millward, Founder of The Orbispace Initiative (TOI) and Simone Hughes, Principal of Rutherford Technology High School located in the Hunter region, a legacy coal area that is now facing the challenges of transitioning to renewables. Participation in TOI's program has helped their school engage more girls in STEM subjects to help this huge shift in their area's energy network. They are joined by Sandra Moore, Department of Education's STEM Equity and Partnerships Program Lead.

Learn more about The Orbispace Initiative and their ‘Pitch for the Planet’ competition, where teams from schools across NSW compete to impress real VCs (investors), successful startup Founders, and sustainability experts.

Learn more about the Champions of Change Coalition, whose mission is to engage leaders to help achieve gender equality and a significant and sustainable increase in the representation of women in leadership.

This event is hosted by UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute (DGFI), with support from EY.

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