WITWA Blazing "techtrails" To Regional Western Australia
Women in Technology, WA (WITWA) launched techtrails, an initiative aimed at supplementing the shrinking technology sector with new talent. Working in partnership with industry and the private sector, the techtrails program operates as a school incursion in regional Western Australia designed to raise awareness about technology careers.
- (1888PressRelease) December 06, 2010 - The executive boardroom at KPMG was packed to capacity for the launch of techtrails, an exciting new project from WITWA.
Designed to encourage high school students to consider careers in technology, techtrails is a school incursion focused on regional WA. The goal of the program is to increase awareness of the many lucrative opportunities present in the broader technology industry.
"We had an idea that boys and girls in regional Western Australia could benefit from hands-on workshops and the opportunity to hear directly from young technology professionals," explains Marjolein Towler, Chair of WITWA. "The reaction from the schools has been overwhelming."
Utilising the Scitech "technotruck" to deliver workshops for students in grades 9 through 11, techtrails also brings experienced technology volunteers into the school environment. Gilmore College in Kwinana is participating in the pilot program. Karratha and Geraldton have expressed interest in early visits.
"WITWA developed this new concept to cater for the growing needs of the Technology sector. It addresses the lack of Generations Y and Z studying in our field", says Towler. "What we discovered is that students and parents are unaware how many opportunities exist for them. Once the NBN project gets underway, regional WA will have more options than ever."
Patron of the techtrails project, Professor Lyn Beazley, lent her enthusiastic support. "This ticks all the Beazley boxes", she told the packed room. "Science, technology, youth, and regional WA, I'm so excited to be involved."
The techtrails program is without government sponsorship and depends on support from the technology sector for funding and staffing. WITWA is a 100% volunteer organisation.
"What we need now, more than anything, is for industry to support our program" Towler explains. "We are in need of presenters, volunteers and financial sponsorship to keep this important initiative going."
Speakers for the evening included representatives from the ACS Foundation, Gilmore College, Scitech and KPMG.
About WITWA
WITWA promotes the continuous development of women in the Technology sector. The WITWA precursor to techtrails, Go Girl, Go For IT Career Showcase, was an Australia-wide initiative with the objective of informing high school girls about technology career opportunities. The WA events ran over 2-days with each delivering 25 female role model presenters to up to 2000 high school girls.
Contact Information
Jan Bryson
Techtrails Program Coordinator
Phone: (08) 9245 6575
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