Development opportunities – A program update
As part of our Framework, WISE is committed to developing female engineers working in or wanting to work in the subsea industry. Our journey of awarding valuable professional development opportunities started six months ago when we were awarded the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship Grant from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.
Since then, WISE has awarded 18 different development opportunities to over 35 females including students, young professionals and professionals in senior roles. Each recipient has reported back to the wider WISE Network through our LinkedIn group, in an effort to continue sharing knowledge and transferring skills.
Supporting women to participate in training and skills development is a key way to increase the variety of roles accessible to female students and engineers. Programs like this are crucial in an period when the industry is experiencing a downturn and therefore the employers are cutting costs for opportunities like training.
SUT ETM: Subsea Controls, Renewables and Compression
SEA Masterclass: Contracts in the Subsea Industry
Subsea Energy Australia Masterclass Series on Risk Management
Based on the feedback we have received, we have summarised the key benefits that the WISE professional development opportunities are bringing to our members:
1. It can sharpen knowledge
Refreshing knowledge through seminars and events can help stay updated on the knowledge obtained when an individual was a student and on the hands-on skills they have acquired on the job. This is an extremely important benefit for both, females looking to re-enter the workforce and for the ones seeking a new role.
2. Build confidence and credibility
Female engineers in a male dominated environment often struggle with building and displaying confidence. By attending professional development opportunities, they can build confidence in the work they do and it also helps them to build credibility as they continue to gain new skill sets and certificates.
3. Develops new skills
Whether wanting to grow in current position or move to a leadership role, taking professional development courses will provide women with a competitive edge. These programs are an easy way to gain important knowledge quickly.
4. Re-connecting with the industry, networking and meeting new contacts
Attending seminars and courses presents the opportunity to meet other like-minded professionals who might become valuable contacts in the future. This is especially important for women wanting the re-connect with the industry after a longer period of leave as they can gain visibility and establish new contacts.
5. Connecting students and the industry
As many graduates are struggling to find work due to increasing competition and fewer opening for new recruits, by attending development opportunities, they can develop new skills that will set them apart from the competition and establish relationships with subsea professionals who might help guiding their career path.
The skill development opportunities were selected as they focused on both technical and professional skills development. Here is a summary of the development opportunities availed:
- Evening Technical Meetings,and YES! Evening Events (Society for Underwater Technology)
- Offshore Geohazards & Geotechnics course (Society for Underwater Technology)
- Contracts in the Subsea Industry Masterclass (Subsea Energy Australia)
- Risk Management Masterclass (Subsea Energy Australia)
- Foreign Direct Investment and Mitigation of Risk Through International Law Masterclass (Subsea Energy Australia)
- Subsea Inspection and Reliability (Engineers Australia)
- Introduction to the Petroleum Industry (Petroleum Club of Western Australia)
- The impact of microbes in oil and gas systems from reservoir souring to microbiologically influenced corrosion (Society of Petroleum Engineers)
- Scalable systems for reservoir modeling on modern hardware platforms (Society of Petroleum Engineers)
- Gender diversity and inclusion targets: CEOs leading the way (CEDA)
- How diversity and inclusion can build a strong and resilient Oil and Gas industry (WIOG)
- An Evening with Michael Schoch - GM of Shell Australia (WIOG)
Our mission is to make a difference and a positive impact on as many female engineers as we can reach. By getting them involved in development, training and connecting them to a supportive community of individuals walking the same gravel path we can influence the bigger picture and contribute to the economic development of the Australian subsea industry.
