Clough is proud to announce it has signed a partnership with Curtin University’s Girls Engineering Tomorrow (GET) Program for the second year in a row, a renewed commitment to supporting the next generation of women in STEM. 

This partnership aligns with Clough’s business strategy and social responsibility commitments to assist in increasing female participation in STEM disciplines and promote learning and pathways in the engineering and construction industry.

Peter Bennett, Clough CEO, said: “After the success of last year’s partnership between Clough and Curtin University’s Girls Engineering Tomorrow Program, I am delighted for the business to once again be a major sponsor. I am excited for our team to continue the important work we are doing to spark interest in engineering and STEM fields.

“This year’s Clough Scholarship recipients are three of the 2022 GET Program participants, which is proof that programs like GET help attract the bright young minds we need to solve problems and deliver a sustainable future.”

The GET program targets female senior secondary students studying pre-requisite mathematics, offering them tutoring support, exposure to engineering activities, courses, and role models, and career guidance from Curtin’s Future Student Advisors. 

The Program is run outside of school hours over 10 free sessions for Year 11 students during Term 2 and 3, and over four sessions for Year 12 students who are program alumni.

The 2022 Program engaged 177 girls, connecting them with like-minded peers and role models, as well as maths and tutoring support. From the Year 11 participants, 89% are returning for this year’s Alumni Year 12 stream. 

Participants were surveyed after the 2022 Program, and the results revealed that 100% of the students gained an improved understanding about what engineering is; the program also improved perceptions about what engineers do, different types of engineering careers, and engineering study pathways - important progress amidst concerns for a widening gender gap in the field of engineering. 

Research from Engineers Australia highlights the decline of secondary students pursuing subjects in the area of STEM, with fewer young people studying the advanced science and maths subjects required for a career in engineering. In addition, the gender gap is evident, with less females choosing to take up STEM subjects.

Curtin’s Dean of Engineering John Curtin Distinguished Professor Vishnu Pareek said the engineering profession still had a long way to go to advance gender diversity with the national female participation rate stagnant at less than 17%.
 
“It is not uncommon to hear from female school students that ‘engineering is for males’, however this program is helping to dispel this belief by providing a variety of opportunities for participants to learn about the profession and interact with industry role models,” Professor Pareek said.

Clough is committed to engaging and inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals.

More information about the Girls Engineering Tomorrow Program is available here.

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