Engineering Education and Pathways for Indigenous Women: Survey for Industry

About this survey

Engineering industry leaders and practitioners are invited to participate in this survey about engineering education and employment for Indigenous women.

The project aims to explore and develop engineering study and career pathways for Indigenous women in remote, regional and urban communities in Northern Australia. It will explore issues related to existing study pathways in engineering for Indigenous students in general, opportunities for Indigenous women to study engineering at Charles Darwin University (CDU) and other Australian universities, mentoring and monitoring plan for Indigenous engineering students, as well as career opportunities for Indigenous engineering graduate. It will also include identification of potential engineering industry providers to partner with CDU to develop learning and teaching pathways for Indigenous women learners.

This research project is conducted by CDU researchers and supported by the College of Indigenous Futures, Arts and Society (CIFAS), the Northern Institute (NI) and CDU College of Engineering, Information Technology and Environment (CEITE).

Please spare a few minutes to complete our survey. This is an anonymous survey; no personal data will be collected. Your response will form part of a final project report.

The survey should take no more than 5 minutes (on average) to complete. By continuing with and completing this survey you acknowledge your consent for your response to be collected.

Thank you for your valuable input.

Question Title

* 1. Are you aware of Indigenous women working in the engineering industry in the NT and elsewhere?

Yes

Other comments (please specify)

Question Title

* 2. Do you think Indigenous women are under-represented in engineering Industry in the NT and elsewhere?

Yes

Maybe

Other comments (please specify)

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* 3. Would you identify yourself as an Indigenous woman?

Yes

Other

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* 4. Would you identify yourself as someone who studied VET and/or Higher Education in an engineering area?

Studied Certificate in Engineering in VET at High School (i.e. Trades area)

Studied Certificate in Engineering in VET

Studied engineering degree in Higher Education

Other

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* 5. Would you identify yourself as someone who are working in engineering industry?

Working in engineering industry

Working as an engineering professional at supervisory level

Working as engineering professional at management/corporate level

Working in Science, Technology, and Mathematics industry, but not engineering.

Other

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* 6. Are there any existing pathways for VET/HE graduates in your workplace?

Cadetship/traineeship/apprenticeship programs accessible for Indigenous graduate, but not specific to engineering area

Cadetship/traineeship/apprenticeships program for Indigenous graduate specific to engineering

Other graduate programs

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* 7. Are there any existing engineering pathways specific for Indigenous women in your workplace?

Cadetship/traineeship/apprenticeship programs accessible for Indigenous women graduate specific to engineering

Other graduate programs available for Indigenous women

Unknown

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* 8. What incentives do the engineering employers offer to engage and support Indigenous employees and/or students to be fully trained to meet engineering industry standards? (Choose more than one option if relevant)

Adequate remuneration equivalent to qualification

Time to study allocation for unqualified person(s) (i.e. offer Cadetship/traineeship/apprenticeship)

Cadets/trainees/apprentices are supported with study and living allowance including travel, accommodation and meals to complete their engineering VET/HE training

Other (please specify)

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* 9. Are you aware of the Australian Government’s Policy in the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) regarding the requirements for industry to ensure the participation of Indigenous people as employees?

Yes

Other comments (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. What would you suggest the engineering industry should do to improve the pathways to engineering employment for Indigenous women? (Choose more than one option if relevant)

Industry partnership with Indigenous businesses/owner/operators

Cross cultural training for all employees

Mentoring Indigenous students

Create an Engineering Indigenous Advisory Committee (Leaders in Indigenous Communities)

Create an Indigenous Engineering Reference Group (Indigenous Engineers working in Industry)

Other comments (please specify)