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BAE Systems Australia announced that it has launched a new academic scholarship for women in regional Australia – to undertake an engineering degree and explore career opportunities in defence industry – and named it after Australia’s first two female RAAF pilots.
Applications will commence in August, with the first four winners to be announced in January 2025.
The program will grow by an additional four places a year, to a total of 16.
Participants will also be given the opportunity to undertake work placements within BAE Systems Australia over the course of their degree, strengthening their job readiness and gaining valuable industry experience.
Dubbed the Williams Hicks Engineering Scholarship, the program was inspired by this year’s UN International Women’s Day theme “Count Her In: Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”.
It was named after Flight Lieutenant Robyn Williams and Officer Cadet Deborah Hicks who became the first female Royal Australian Air Force pilots.
“We are passionate about championing gender equity across our business and the scholarship program we’re launching celebrates the inspirational story of both Deborah and Robyn and will provide pathways for women from regional Australia to pursue rewarding careers in the high technology defence sector,” Ben Hudson, chief executive officer at BAE Systems Australia, said.
“These scholarships are in addition to a number of initiatives BAE Systems Australia has introduced to recruit the nation’s top talent through programs including STEM Returners; Degree Apprenticeships in partnership with leading universities; mature-aged apprenticeships; and veteran opportunities in partnership with organisations such as WithYouWithMe.”
