A new not-for-profit organisation UNIQ You has launched in Queensland, dedicated to helping women break into male dominated sectors such as utilities, mining and technology.
Urban Utilities is a foundational sponsor of UNIQ You, an important service and online platform connecting high school girls, and their guidance and career officers, with industry advisors drawn from sectors under-represented by women.
Urban Utilities CEO, Louise Dudley, said they were pleased to support the innovative program that would help provide girls with wider career choices.
“The utilities sector has about 22 per cent female participation overall, so there is still more opportunity to encourage a higher number of women into the industry,” Ms Dudley said.
“Through this program, we’ll be able to help teenage girls connect with women who are leaders in a range of fields such as engineering, science and technology.
“We’re also excited about the benefits the partnership will bring Urban Utilities such as helping us to attract and retain talent, encourage new ideas and support innovation.”
Environment and Planning Officer, Annabel Hofstee, is one of eight women from Urban Utilities who will advise and support students as part of the UNIQ You program, providing their time and industry insights to grade nine to 12 high school girls from across the state.
“We’ve got a really diverse mix of women from environment and trade waste, to strategy and resource recovery, ready to offer support and advice to girls thinking of pursuing a career in the utility sector,” Ms Hofstee said.
“From washing clothes, to quenching a thirst, to growing a garden, or enjoying a kayak along the creek – everyone is connected to water and I’m proud to come to work every day to make sure that our water and sewerage services are future-proof.
“This industry is always learning and adapting to the challenges of a changing world, so it is an exciting time to work in this space and I’m excited to inspire more young women to work in water.”
More information on UNIQ You can be found here.
