WISE Framework

Framework aiming to increase gender parity within the Australian subsea industry. As proposed by the WISE Network of Subsea Energy Australia. Updated 22 April 2019.

Introduction

Subsea Energy Australia (SEA) is a not-for-profit industry association. Its aims are to promote Australian subsea capabilities to local, regional and global markets. Over the organisation’s ten-year history, SEA has had a small but strong contingent of female board members and yet the overall participation of women in networking and industry events across the subsea sector remains comparatively low.

The 2015 Committee for Perth report “Filling the Pool” outlines the economic importance and strategic benefits for the retention and progression of professional women in Western Australia. The report highlights that <15% of engineering graduates are female, which translates into an even lower percentage within the subsea industry. At the entry level, participation is estimated to be <10% and at technical leadership levels, participation is even lower. Furthermore, these participation rates are showing a declining trend.

SEA has an important role to play as enablers to increasing gender diversity and parity within the Australian subsea industry. This will be achieved via communication of strategic and economic benefits, providing education on the issues, development of inclusive environments, establishment of meaningful networks and the provision of access to professional development and mentoring opportunities.

Background

SEA undertook a survey in 2016 aimed at understanding the drivers for entry into the subsea industry and to identify barriers to participation.

The survey uncovered the predominant motivation for joining the subsea industry is that it presents interesting, exciting and challenging work. The survey also highlighted consistent themes for women in the workplace. All the participants identified as having experienced discrimination of some kind throughout their career, many referenced the glass ceiling or suggested the effects of unconscious bias. Some had experienced either explicit or passive sexual harassment in the workplace. Women also reported a lack of opportunities for fulfilling and challenging part time work, to enable them to contribute to the industry whilst maintaining a family.

Following this survey and review of the Committee for Perth’s “Filling the Pool” report, SEA established the Women in Subsea Engineering (WISE) Task Group; now known as the WISE Network.

Vision

The vision of the WISE Network is to achieve gender parity within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) roles within the subsea and other industries undertaken within the marine environment (industry). The WISE Network aims to grow the profile of females in STEM roles by promoting strategies and initiatives to attract, retain, develop, and promote women within this industry.

Governance

This framework is developed and monitored by the WISE Network’s Committee under the guidance of the SEA Participation Committee, which reports to the SEA Board. Contribution to the Task Group is on an in-kind basis, with the exception of SEA executive and communication officers.

Membership

WISE membership is open to any individual, irrespective of gender, who supports the WISE Network’s vision. Membership is free and fully inclusive via subscription to the WISE newsletter (Mailchimp subscription). WISE membership does not require SEA membership to encourage accessibility and participation. Members are able to access free online resources from any location.

The active membership base is currently, predominantly in Perth, Western Australia. WISE is able to support activities in other locations if appropriate funding is made accessible.

Framework

This developmental framework recognises the following key requirements needed to achieve gender parity within the industry:

  • Attracting females with STEM backgrounds to the subsea industry.

Activities that encourage female school students to study STEM subjects at university and secondly, to encourage female university STEM students to choose a career pathway within the subsea industry would assist with this.

  • Retaining females in STEM roles within the subsea industry.

Statistics indicate that participation of females in STEM roles decrease with increasing seniority within organisations. The possible contributors to this are similar to those outlined by the “Filling the Pool” report and include accessibility to flexible work arrangements, barriers to re-entering the work place following maternity leave, and the like. Activities that support females in STEM roles throughout their career journey would assist with retention. 

  • Developing females in STEM roles within the subsea industry.

Professional development and mentoring opportunities to develop and “upskill” female STEM students and professionals to improve the employment and career advancement opportunities through demonstrating enhanced capabilities would assist with development. Amongst the challenges that women in STEM face, are being overlooked for development opportunities, remaining upskilled whilst on maternity leave and gaining the right skills to be “industry ready” when graduating from universities.

  • Promoting females in STEM roles within the subsea industry.

Promoting the achievements of females within the industry provides positive role models that will attract others into the industry. It also “normalises” that females are able to have successful careers in roles within a male dominated industry. Increasing visibility has also been shown to have a direct, positive impact on improving diversity within workplaces.

Strategies

WISE have identified 6 strategies as priority areas to achieve the framework. Many of these strategies are interrelated and act to positively contribute to addressing the requirements for achieving gender parity.

  1. Research and Industry Development
    WISE have initiated a benchmark research study on gender parity within the subsea industry as there is currently, very little relevant information that is publically available. The objective of further research, if funds become available, will be to establish and maintain a benchmark for gender parity within the Australian subsea industry and to compare it to other regions such as Scandinavia, which has higher participation rates of females within STEM roles. Factors investigated may include cultural, governmental and organisational parameters.
    To capture positive improvement initiatives from the benchmark study and from other research outcomes and studies, as applicable and available to the WISE Network, projects such as Gender Inclusion Guidelines, Work Experience Program, Recruitment Database, etc. will be undertaken.
  2. Networking
    WISE creates opportunities for individuals to meet, exchange, connect, and educate each other; whilst providing access to professional expertise and support. All events are focused on inclusivity and accessibility (e.g. availability of online resources, family friendly events, etc.). Networking opportunities are also made available to connect female STEM students to professional role models and mentors to attract students into the subsea industry.
    Where opportunities exist, collaboration with other industry associations and wider industry will be explored. WISE will engage with other industry organisations (e.g. Society for Underwater Technology, Women in Engineering WA, Women in Oil and Gas), as well as existing groups within subsea organisations to explore opportunities to collaborate, share information and optimise resources. Activities will be targeted at increasing the reach of WISE membership and ability to achieve more through collaboration.
  3. Mentoring and Leadership Development
    WISE will support and promote mentoring programs as professional development support to individuals with a focus on developing females in STEM roles into leadership positions (technical or managerial), guiding university students into the workforce, and supporting graduate and professional women in STEM roles.
    Leadership development will be aimed at middle management level, with the potential to be elevated into more senior roles within the industry. This may include mentoring programs, leadership conferences, or training programs.
  4. Outreach
    WISE endeavours to support other industry associations in the promotion of STEM careers for females, as well as the promotion of STEM careers to primary and secondary school students and university students studying STEM
    subjects. WISE is open to working with organisations, schools or universities as opportunities arise and resources are available. The focus of outreach programs to students is to provide role models to the next generation of students, demonstrating that females can have successful STEM careers.
  5. Skills Development
    The subsea sector requires ongoing skill development for existing and new practitioners. WISE facilitates access to a variety of training and professional development opportunities. Skill development opportunities focus on both technical and professional skills development. Various formats include:
    • On-line resources for individuals and organisations;
    • Professional development and training opportunities;
    • Development of educational resources for individuals and organisations; and
    • Online presence and communication.
  6. Communication
    WISE develops communication packages to:
    • Exhibit the available STEM careers within the subsea sector, focusing on providing examples of successful career pathways that have been experienced by females within the industry;
    • Communicate on methods and strategies to improve gender parity within the subsea industry; focusing on providing individuals and organisations with practical solutions for achieving change; and
    • Promote the achievements of females in STEM roles within the subsea industry to students, the industry and the public.

The communication package includes a WISE website portal (http://wise.subseaenergy.org.au/) and LinkedIn Group (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7064273). 

The communication strategy and online presence is continually updated, as required.

Accessibility

Accessibility to WISE programs and services is a key focus of the program. The guiding principles are:

  • a) WISE membership is free and fully inclusive. 
  • b) WISE members can access programs and services at no cost, or at a subsidised rate.
  • c) Events include consideration to maximum accessibility e.g. family friendly events, suitable event times.
  • d) Accessibility to some WISE programs may be limited to females in STEM roles or students.
  • e) Online resources and tools will be used to maximise accessibility to members.

Audience Development and Participation

The intention of this framework is to facilitate the development of links with new audiences to ensure that more individuals and organisations understand the challenges, barriers and solutions to achieving gender parity within the subsea industry, with a focus on STEM field; as well as the benefits that can be gained by achieving gender parity. This strategy should encourage and initiate change within individuals and organisations.