Latest news with #BuildingWomen'sCareersProgram
Perth Now
12 hours ago
- Science
- Perth Now
AI threatens to widen gender gap for regional girls
Artificial intelligence could disrupt more than just technology – it could widen the gender gap between boys and girls studying science, technology, engineering and maths. Women 4 STEM spokeswoman Sharon Samson issued the warning on Friday, while calling for industry, educators and governments to do more to encourage girls to study science and to support women to stay in STEM careers. AI technology has become a major force in Australian business, with the National AI Centre finding 40 per cent of small to medium enterprises use the technology. But its widespread adoption could put girls at a further disadvantage, Ms Samson said, as they were less likely to study technology subjects due to cultural biases, narrow framing, and a lack of role models. "What we're noticing is that AI is (widening) some of the gender gap," she said. "While we're desperately trying to work with the government to put in place measures to ensure we close the gap, it is widening behind us." Only three in five girls were likely to choose a STEM subject in grades six to eight, according to a survey by YouthInsight, compared to four in five boys. Ms Samson said AI could exacerbate the problem for girls as they were increasingly choosing to study in areas "ripe for disruption" by the technology, including accounting, clerical work, bookkeeping and retail jobs. The gap was more stark in regional areas of Australia, she said, where some educational facilities did not have access to generative AI technology or teachers trained to use it. "Some schools are nailing it – they've got a great teacher, they've got a great curriculum, and they're consuming all the wonderful outcomes," Ms Samson said. "Other schools are starved – they don't have the right folks in there leading the technology and STEM fields." A study by the federal Education Department found high school students in remote locations were about 1.5 years behind their city peers in science. Women 4 STEM has invited 250 students from 13 regional schools to participate in its annual Go Girl, Go for IT event, which is expected to host 2000 students at Deakin University on August 13. The event will come months after the federal government announced $45 million to fund 10 projects in the Building Women's Careers Program designed to provide education, partnership and networking opportunities for women in male-dominated industries. The program is also designed to address a skills shortages in STEM-based fields, including engineering where The Insight Centre predicts a shortage of 200,000 roles by 2040.
The Guardian
02-03-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Australia news live: navy ship on rescue mission for stranded ocean rower; funding to boost female trade workforce
Funding to boost female trade workforce Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Krishani Dhanji The government has announced 10 projects that will receive a share of $45m to increase the female workforce in trade industries. The funding, through the Building Women's Careers Program, will go to projects including the 'Give her a Chance' program run by Master Builders Australia, to tackle bias in construction through education campaigns, mentoring and networking. Labor says women make up less than 8% of all trade apprentices in male-dominated trades, and less than 5% in construction. Construction workers in Melbourne. Photograph: James Ross/AAP The skills minister Andrew Giles said boosting female participation will also help address skills shortages in the sector: We are taking the important first steps to introduce new pathways for women to enter traditionally male-dominated industries and make industry workplaces safer and more equitable. These projects are tackling the structural and cultural barriers that often stop women from considering careers in these industries head on. The program was announced in the 2024 budget as part of the government's $22bn future made in Australia package. Share Emily Wind Good morning, and happy Monday – welcome back to a new week on the Australia news live blog. I'm Emily Wind, and I'll be taking you through our rolling coverage for most of today. A navy ship is on a rescue mission for a stranded Lithuanian rower off Australia's east coast, after a two-day wait. Rower Aurimas Mockus ran into trouble about 740km east of Mackay while attempting a 12,000km Pacific Ocean crossing from San Diego to Brisbane in his solo rowing boat. A rescue ship is expected to arrive in the Coral Sea shortly. You can read the full details on this from AAP below: Meanwhile, the federal government has announced ten projects to receive a share of $45m to boost the female workforce in trade industries. The funding will go to projects including the 'Give her a Chance' program run by Master Builders Australia to tackle bias in construction through education campaigns, mentoring and networking. Krishani Dhanji will bring us more on this soon. And this year's Oscars kick off in a few hours – we'll have rolling coverage, so keep your eyes peeled. As always, you can reach out with any tips, feedback or questions via email: Let's get started. Share
