In Australia, women comprise 16% of engineering graduates and 13% of the working engineering population. Despite progress, women remain significantly underrepresented compared to their male counterparts. The latest figures highlight ongoing challenges, such as gender-based discrimination and career progression barriers, contributing to higher attrition rates among women engineers.
The field of engineering has long been a male-dominated domain, with women historically underrepresented, but this is changing.
Some strategies to foster a more inclusive workforce include programs that focus on flexible work arrangements, targeted recruitment, and leadership development.
ASC, Australia’s submarine builder and sustainer for more than 35 years, is no stranger to these strategies. In recent years, they’ve been putting in the effort to make ASC an employer of choice for women – and it’s paying off!
From entry apprenticeships to flexible policies to leadership development, meet some of the women engineers of ASC and discover how ASC creates space for women across all levels of their workplaces.
Inclusivity from day one
For ASC, inclusivity starts from day one with its apprenticeship and graduate programs. Yolanda Alba Belzunce, Senior Engineering Manager, is eager to highlight the importance of early advancement in women’s careers.
With an impressive career spanning more than eighteen years across naval shipbuilding and nuclear power industries, she shares:
“Diversity brings so many benefits to our workplace such as representative leadership, flexible working arrangements, pay equity and an inclusive culture.”
ASC Apprentice Paige Rowley confirms that the innovative opportunities to work on different projects and the positive promotion of supporting women in the industry attracted her to the ASC Apprenticeship Program.
“The ASC program stood out to me as being something, unique, rewarding, and interesting. Working on the submarines gives me the chance to do something more than just lighting up a house.”
Originally from Whyalla, Paige chose ASC to work on the Collins Class submarines. She completed her second year of the four-year electrical apprenticeship program in 2023. After finishing a trades-based program in year 11, Paige applied to and successfully secured her place in ASC’s comprehensive program, which took her through every electrical aspect of submarines:
“In electrical, we have six crews split up into different parts. As an apprentice, I can move through the crews and gain experience in all the different submarine systems. I’ve enjoyed all of them – they have different pros and cons. When I finish my apprenticeship, I could specialize in a certain system if I want to.”
Even though Paige still has a way to go with her apprenticeship, she’s already made a firm decision that ASC is where she wants to be:
“I’d like to continue working on the submarines – it’s really interesting, and I enjoy being able to provide for the Navy and the nation. This is a career I can make a life out of.”
Start your career in the engineering industry with the support of ASC.
A chance to think differently
There are many reasons behind why women have traditionally felt excluded from such a dynamic industry. The need for more visibility of young women and leaders across the sector is a big one.
ASC is actively working in this space to highlight the incredible women across their workforce. So far this year, ASC has achieved a 96% increase in eligible female applications across Graduate and Undergraduate engineering programs compared to 2023.
Yolanda is excited about the opportunities this is opening up for a new generation of women in the industry:
“This is wonderful news – not just for ASC, but the whole defense sector and the Australian engineering community. I’m delighted that this generation of women embraces the incredible long-term career opportunities at ASC.”
Paige agrees and is delighted by the variety her role offers and the chance to get stuck in with some hands-on projects. She says the apprenticeship has allowed her to develop her critical skills and think differently:
“I enjoy learning all the different systems – the operation of the boat, why we do what we do. Every day is something new, but it’s always hands-on, something challenging, and it’s really enjoyable. Thinking on the spot and being able to challenge yourself is definitely a skill you need.”
Beyond the starting line
ASC supports a diverse workforce through inclusive culture and policies that give employees choices around work-life balance, family planning, and leave options that allow staff to meet their responsibilities outside of work.
These include 24 weeks’ parental leave for the primary carer and progressive policies that support women at work, including five days’ leave for fertility treatment, stillborn/miscarriage leave, and formal and informal flexible work arrangements.
Women are encouraged to pursue their career trajectories and personal life goals in ways that authentically work for them. Debbie Spence has experienced this multiple times in her career. She joined ASC as their very first woman apprentice back in 2007 and went on to become a Production Team Lead.
Now with two small children, Debbie shares how she’s never been held back and fully supported by ASC to find the work-life balance that worked for her. On returning to work after her second child, she shares:
“I wanted to get back into a production area in a leadership role, and ASC was helpful in terms of flexible work hours, part-time hours so that I could get back to doing what I loved – being on the shop floor, on the tools.”
Since then, Debbie has progressed in her role, taking on further leadership and development opportunities while working part-time to maintain her work and family life with her partner, Steve, also an ASC employee.
Professional development is a significant part of the benefits offered at ASC. This includes a range of professional development programs where you can access diverse internal and external learning opportunities.
ASC also offers development for existing and emerging leaders through programs to help you grow your skills and lead other team members. Yolanda entered the business in a leadership capacity and has felt fully supported throughout her time to embrace her role so she can support her multidisciplinary team:
“Our leaders are integral to our business. ASC recognizes this and prioritizes the development of our people to achieve personal career goals and provide the workforce with the necessary skills, knowledge, and behaviors to achieve world-class outcomes.”
