21 May 2018
Transpower has once again put its support behind ShadowTech, providing workplace mentors to female students studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects.
On Monday, 21 May, students will spend the day at Transpower offices to learn about the work Transpower does — giving them real-world understanding of the kind of jobs a career in STEM subjects can lead to.
In Wellington, students from Aotea College, Hutt Valley High School and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Ara Whanui schools will be participating. On Wednesday 23 May, students from additional schools in Auckland will be participating at Transpower’s Otahuhu office.
Transpower has a lot to offer the students who attend, with activity in each of the STEM disciplines. Transpower designs, builds and maintains the National Grid, helping power our way of life by bringing electricity from where it is generated to where it is used. Transpower also operates the electricity Grid in real time, runs the wholesale electricity market, owns and operates a fibre communications network, and has a number of exciting initiatives in the tech space such as a robotics programme.
Transpower first supported ShadowTech in 2017 in Wellington. Chief Executive Alison Andrew says the organisation wanted to provide further support for this year’s event.
“Last ShadowTech day we saw students really engage with our people and gain insights into where their studies could take them,” said Alison. “This year we have reached out to a higher number of schools, as we want to broaden our reach and inspire more young women. We want to show them various career pathways to success in areas that need diversity of thought.”
“While we’re seeing more women studying technology and engineering, we still have some work to do to attract and retain more women in the workplace. Diversity is good for business and one of the ways we can improve these numbers is to promote the many career opportunities available to young women.”
“As with most industries, advancements in technology are changing the engineering profession and creating lots of new and interesting job opportunities for our young people.”
“We’re hoping our continued support of ShadowTech will further encourage young women to consider the technology and engineering sectors as they make positive decisions about their future.” Andrew said.
Note to Editors: We are welcoming media at our Wellington office, Waikoukou, during this event. Please contact Trudy Shannon, Senior Corporate Communications Advisor, 021 835 374 to arrange attendance.
Photographs of the students’ time at Transpower will be available at 3pm on Monday 21 May on request.
ShadowTech was founded by Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), and is delivered in partnership with NZTech. In Wellington, the Wellington Institute of Technology and Whitireia Community Polytechnic are promoting this year’s event. Almost 200 girls have registered for the day - the largest turn-out to date.
ShadowTech day, organised by NZTech, is an opportunity for young New Zealand women studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects to experience a day in the life of working in in this sector. ShadowTech provides young women in Years 9 -11 with an opportunity to experience what working in the technology and engineering sector is like, encouraging them on to education pathways that lead to careers in this sector.
The objective of ShadowTech is to see an increase in the number of females who choose STEM-related subjects at a secondary and tertiary level and ultimately choose a career in this sector.
For further information, please contact:
Trudy Shannon, Senior Corporate Communications Advisor, 021 835 374