• Charles Sturt University offering women financial support to study courses in agriculture and environmental science
• Charles Sturt received $445,000 in Australian Government’s Women in STEM Cadetships and Advanced Apprenticeships Program
• Women make up a little more than one quarter of workers in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields in Australia

Ten women will be given financial assistance to study agriculture or environmental science while continuing to work full-time, growing their skills and career options and helping address Australia’s ongoing critical skills shortage.

Charles Sturt University has received $445,000 in funding in the Australian Government’s Women in STEM Cadetships and Advanced Apprenticeships Program.

The program provides financial assistance to women to complete a higher education course in part-time study in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) field.

Charles Sturt’s funding will apply to students studying agriculture or environmental science courses. Courses and available assisted places are:

• Two assisted places in the Associate Degree in Farm Production (four years of part-time study)
• Six assisted places in the Diploma of Agricultural Studies (two years of part-time study)
• Two assisted places in the Diploma of Environmental Studies (two years of part-time study)

Executive Dean of Charles Sturt University’s Faculty of Science and Health, Professor Megan Smith, has previously written of how the University’s “female scientists are impacting the world as they apply their knowledge and skills as physiotherapists, nurses, dentists, agricultural scientists, vet scientists and environmental managers”.

According to the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources, in Australia women make up only 28 per cent of workers in STEM.

Professor Smith (pictured) said the support offered via the STEM Cadetships and Advanced Apprenticeships Program would increase that percentage, to the betterment of both the students and wider society.

“It is no secret that women are drastically underrepresented in STEM and it is vital that female minds, voices and experiences are utilised to meet the challenges in these fields,” Professor Smith said.

“Since forming government in May, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government has had a concerted focus on the nation’s skills crisis. Agriculture and environmental science are two fields where skills shortages are being felt.

“This funding will be used to support women to help address those shortages while simultaneously improving their own career options and trajectories.”

Students supported by the program can be employed with an organisation unrelated to their field of study.

Employers of students may receive grants of up to $5,000 per student per year to support their staff’s participation in the program, noting that employers must agree to release employees for study purposes.

If you are interested in participating in the program, or have employees who are interested, please contact Charles Sturt’s student contact centre on 1800 275 278.