KIC iWOMEN Project Kicks off for 2018

It was all about the women recently, as the Kwinana Industries Council (KIC) welcomed a group of 32 female students into the 2018 KIC iWOMEN Project.

The female students were selected into the iWOMEN Project from many different high schools in the Rockingham, Kwinana and Cockburn areas.

Now in its seventh consecutive year, the project provides Year 10 students with the opportunity to explore and understand the significance of industry in the Kwinana Industrial Area (KIA), and the broad range of career options available.

Joining the iWOMEN Project for 2018 is KIC member company Alcoa, jumping on board as the partner for this year’s project. KIC thanked them for their support along with Cockburn Cement who are this year’s sponsor.

In a special introductory ceremony held this morning for the students, Trish Bostock, Alcoa Kwinana Alumina Refinery Financial Controller, formally welcomed them into the 2018 iWOMEN Project and presented them with their project shirts.

“It’s important that girls who are starting to consider their career paths know that they can be – and do – anything they set their minds to,” Ms Bostock said. “The iWomen Project will open the girls’ eyes to career options they may have never considered before, and Alcoa is pleased to be involved in making that happen.”

KIC Director Chris Oughton said the iWOMEN Project was a unique program for the local region because it provided an insight into industry for potential future employees.

“This project continues to provide a great opportunity for the local female students into what is more often recognised as a male-dominated industry,” Mr Oughton said.

“One of the best outcomes that we continually see throughout this program, is seeing the female students become excited about the possibilities of working in industry, after seeing the numerous and very diverse employment opportunities that are available to them.”

“The program highlights the commitment KIC has with engaging women in the workforce and the project will once again promote many opportunities for young women in industry.”

Mr Oughton said the project had been designed to help the students with their subject choices for Years 11 and 12, and potentially spark an interest in job prospects within local industry.

The number of women who have participated in the iWOMEN program since its inception in 2012, has now reached well over 200, which marks a great achievement for the KIC.

The students who have been selected for the 2018 project, will be involved in a variety of activities over 6 days, throughout this school term.

KIC member companies, including Cockburn Cement, Alcoa and Fremantle Ports hold the iWOMEN Project in high regard and will be involved in providing site tours and question and answer workshops with the students.

This year, the students will embark on many activities, which aim to increase their awareness about the employment opportunities within the KIC and to help build friendship among the students.

Activities this year will include industry visits, workshop sessions, resume preparation, mock interviews, meeting women in industry, industry review and research, and health and wellbeing.

A presentation evening will be held at the end of the program, to recognise the graduating students of the 2018 iWOMEN Project.

Debbie Hoey
Education Development Officer, Kwinana Industries Council