Smart Women - Smart State Strategy
Helping women move into 'smart jobs'
The Queensland Government is committed to enhancing girls' and women's participation in Queensland's emerging industries, particularly science, engineering and technology (SET).
In Queensland, women currently, make up just 34% of the state's SET workforce, including approximately 7% of engineers and 16.7% of information technology professionals. These areas have traditionally been male-dominated and there is the capacity for women to make great contributions in these professions and to Queensland.
In 2005 the Smart Women - Smart State Taskforce (the Taskforce) was established to advise the Minister for Women on strategies to increase girls' and women's participation in SET education, training and employment. The Taskforce was established for a period of four years (2005-2009).
Through research, discussion and consultation, the Taskforce has developed the Smart Women - Smart State Science, Engineering and Technology Action Plan (2006-2009). The 12 point Action Plan will both build on current initiatives and implement new and innovative ideas to reach its goals.
A background concept paper - Supporting Women's Participation in Emerging Industries: Science, Engineering and Technology - has been developed to accompany the Action Plan.
The Taskforce has representatives from each of the science, engineering and technology fields, from tertiary institutions and from the public and private sector. It is chaired by Ms Else Shepherd, a trained electrical engineer, whose career has covered a range of roles in industry, including teaching, research, control systems and communications.
Taskforce members are:
- Ms Else Shepherd (Chair), Director, Mesaplexx Pty Ltd
- Ms Karin Baxter, Practice Leader - Resourcing, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance
- Ms Leeanne Bond, Director, Breakthrough Energy
- Associate Professor Margaret Greenway, Griffith University
- Professor Susan Hamilton, University of Queensland
- Ms Karen Heck, Executive Director, Heck Group
- Dr Jennifer Riesz, Senior Analyst, ROAM Consulting
- Ms Barbara Tobin, President, Women in Technology
The Taskforce also includes government representation from:
- Department of the Premier and Cabinet
- Department of Education, Training and the Arts
- Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
- Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
- Office of the Public Service Commissioner
The annual Smart Women - Smart State Awards is an Office for Women initiative that recognises and rewards excellence by women in SET fields.
Useful links:
WISENET (Women in Science Enquiry Network Inc) (Non-Queensland Government website) was established to increase women's participation in the sciences and to link people in different branches of science and those working towards a more participatory and socially useful science.
Women In Technology (WIT) (Non-Queensland Government website) is one of Queensland's most respected and active technology industry associations. Its mission is to create a sustainable network of members focused on the advancement of women in technology industries.
Last updated: 27 May 2008
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