Project Overview
In early 2022 WiTWA was awarded Australian Government grant funding as part of the National Careers Institute Grant to contribute to better outcomes for young women, in relation to improving STEM Gender Equity. The funding enabled WiTWA to deliver a further 12 months of Techtrails incursions to high school students in metro and regional Western Australia.
The WiTWA team delivered:
- 2 x STEM industry collaboration workshops
- 2 x Research Reports
- 7 x Techtrails Incursions
Collaboration Between Industry and Education
INTERESTED IN THE WORKSHOP OUTCOMES?
- 36 STEM Industry Leaders Attended
- Non-linear pathways stood out
- Single source for STEM initiatives needed
- Digital Influencers on the rise
Download the Press Release & Report
What is a Techtrail?
Techtrails are designed to generate passion, excitement and interest in STEM based education and careers to motivate secondary students, and particularly girls living in regional, remote, and mid to lower ICSEA areas, to pursue STEM related study and career opportunities.
Techtrails incursions to secondary Schools bring guest speakers (role models) from STEM Industries and jobs to discuss their careers, their involvement in STEM education, the benefits of STEM education and the role models personal stories and career pathways.
Participating Schools
We visited seven schools across metropolitan and regional Western Australia and were able to positively impact over 1,200 students.
Read more about the schools visits through a our blog posts.
STEM Champions visit Champion Bay
Techtrails bring Women STEM Role models to the Pilbara
Techtrails visit Geraldton Senior High School in 2023
Techtrails visits Karratha Senior High School
Techtrails visits Esperance Senior High School
Techtrails comes to Manjimup SHS
Our Role Models
The Techtrails Incursions program would not exist without our role models and speakers. All of whom are STEM industry leaders, knowledge powerhouses and selflessly dedicate their time to bring about positive change.
Dior Etherton
Clarissa Luk
Petra Trinke
Karen Stewart
Jelena Ceranic
Emma Eltringham
Real Data, Real Impact
The WiTWA STEM Future Jobs and Skills Initiative achieved significant improvements for STEM gender equity. Read our research report that details what project outcomes were achieved, and how to incorporate project recommendations into future initiatives.
Project Partners
Sincere thanks go out to our project partners. Who commit their time, energy and funding to support the delivery of the WiTWA STEM Future Jobs and Skills Initiative. Many of which have been long term supporters of WiTWA and are a voice of inspiration for women and girls looking to pursue education and careers in STEM.
Our Volunteers
WiTWA would not be able to deliver the programs that have such a significant impact without the support of our dedicated and passionate volunteer team.
Teagen McEwan
Kay Hargreaves
Funding Source
The National Careers Institute Partnership Grants program provided grants from $20,000 to $350,000 for up to 12 months to enhance partnerships with industry, employers, schools and tertiary institutions to deliver innovative career advisory products and services for people at all stages of their careers.
WiTWA was one of 42 recipients nationally, and only 5 in Western Australia to receive the federal funding.
The objectives for round 3 of the program were to:
- create greater awareness of career pathways and career information for women with a focus on women returning to work from a career break, women in non-traditional industries and occupations, or industries where women are under-represented (including at senior levels)
- contribute to an evidence base for addressing the needs of women undertaking training and apprenticeships
- enhance partnerships between industry, employers, schools and tertiary providers that support women through traditional and non-traditional career pathways.
The intended outcomes of the program:
- enhanced career pathways that help women of working age to reach their full career potential
- increased understanding by women of skills and attributes sought by employers including in new and emerging industries
- stronger local collaboration in the delivery of career guidance to women of working age
- improved quality of locally based career guidance to women of working age.
WiTWA was proudly able to contribute to the goals of the program and thank the Australian Government for the grant funding that enabled our project to bring a positive STEM message to over 1,200 participants throughout
Find out more about STEM and Technology initiatives our funding partners are involved in:
National Careers Institute https://www.dewr.gov.au/nci
Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources https://www.industry.gov.au/
Department of Education, Skills and Employment https://www.dese.gov.au/ Western Australia.
