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Gippsland Water Summer Internship Program achieves highest female participation rate in five years

Gippsland Water's 2024/25 internship program achieved its highest female participation rate in five years, with six of 12 students being women, including three in STEM roles. The program aims to inspire future female leaders.

By news@gippsland - 6th February 2025 - Back to News

Gippsland Water's 2024/25 summer internship program has produced the highest rate of women participants in five years. Six of the 12 students in this year's program were women, including three of the eight students who worked in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) roles across the organisation.

Summer internship students Zara, Ella and Emily, worked in STEM roles in Gippsland Water's asset management, asset planning and environment teams

Women in water

Managing director Sarah Cumming said it was a sign that initiatives like International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11) were raising the profile of STEM careers and highlighting pathways in STEM focused industries, like the water sector.

"This year we had three talented young women take on STEM roles in our environment and asset management teams as part of our internship program, along with a further three placed in other departments. You don't need to be a scientist or engineer to work in the water sector, although there are many of those opportunities available," Ms Cumming said.

Ms Cumming, a former litigation lawyer, said her own career trajectory in the water industry had been deeply rewarding. "I love working in an industry that has far reaching impacts and can make a real difference in our community while providing an essential service."

Empowering women in STEM

Ms Cumming said the organisation hoped to inspire the next generation of female leaders in STEM to explore the water industry as their next major career step by providing new and rewarding opportunities. "According to 2023 Australian Government data, women currently make up 37 percent of enrolments in university STEM courses, but only 15 percent of STEM-qualified jobs are held by women. This is something we're passionate about changing."

"Our most recent cohort of students has given us confidence we're on the right path. Employing more women in STEM is not just a goal; it's necessary to expand talent pools and bring in fresh perspectives," Ms Cumming said.

Gippsland Water's annual Summer Internship program offers university students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the water sector with three months of paid work. Applications open mid-year at Gippsland Water website.

Pictures from Gippsland Water website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com