Govt's new online tool to help Kiwi girls & women into STEM careers

The Ministry of Women has released a new tool designed to get young girls and women into science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects, particularly as the economy heads into a STEM skills-based territory.

Womens' Minister Louise Upton announced the launch of 'STEM Directory', a new online tool designed to identify initiatives, programmes and associations to help females connect and learn about STEM subjects.

Upston says the new tool will help young girls and women follow career opportunities in the area. She says that the government has been focused on equipping New Zealanders as the economy heads towards a STEM-related skills path.

"Women are particularly under-represented in the highest growth areas such as digital technology and engineering, so I have made it a priority to find new ways of sparking their interest," she says.

Women make up only 23% of New Zealand's IT industry, while only 13% work as engineers.

"This tool is a small but significant way we can work to turn this around, ensuring women aren't left behind in a constantly changing workforce and young girls can more easily find clear ways in STEM fields,"Upston says.

"I want to encourage all young girls and women, schools, businesses - and men who want to encourage the important women in their life – to make use of this tool and become the next leader in these fields that are so crucial to New Zealand's future.