Alcoa maintains its approach to recognising and rewarding young people in the education system through its scholarships and awards program.
Because diversity is central to our strength as a company, we are committed to ensuring that access to science, engineering, technology, and business training is available to all. Alcoa's specific support is directed towards areas that recognise and reward leadership, diversity and equality.
Future Leaders of Industry Engineering Scholarships for Victorian students
In 2008, Alcoa of Australia will continue its Future Leaders of Industry Engineering Scholarships program for students enrolled in engineering at Melbourne University, Monash University, Deakin University and RMIT.
The Future Leaders of Industry Engineering Scholarships are directed towards engineering disciplines that are critical to maintaining and growing a world class manufacturing capacity in regional Victoria.
The scholarships are an important way in which Alcoa of Australia recognises and rewards young Victorians.
Because diversity is central to our strength as a company, Alcoa is committed to ensuring that access to science, engineering, technology and business training is available to all, particularly those from regional Victoria as well as those from non-traditional engineering backgrounds.
Combining the scholarship with a 12 week work placement provides an outstanding opportunity for students to gain practical experience in the engineering field and develop an awareness of the opportunities and challenges they will face during their engineering careers.
If you are enrolled in one of Alcoa’s Victorian partner universities, contact your Engineering faculty for more information or read the 2008 Future Leaders of Industry brochure.
Opening Doors with the Future Women of Industry Scholarships
The Future Women of Industry Scholarships form part of Alcoa’s commitment to diversify its workforce.
In 1996, Alcoa launched a scholarship program to assist, mentor and educate talented and enthusiastic young women about opportunities within their industry before they decided upon a career.
The scholarships help young women to plan their careers by showcasing opportunities in industry. Each year we invite participation from local schools and their female students to engage in the Future Women of Industry program.
The scholarships fall into two categories - the first encourages young women in the engineering and technical professions - the second in the manual trades and apprenticeships.
Exploring different alternatives
The scholarships have a unique emphasis on opening doors to industry. In addition to financial assistance, the program establishes networks and provides opportunities for young women to get a first hand look into career paths not traditionally chosen by women. Activities for the scholarship recipients include:
- Tours of Alcoa’s operations.
- Networking nights with women who have developed successful careers in industry.
- Buddy days with an Alcoa employee to experience working with a professional in a field which the scholarship recipient is interested.
- Murdoch University Day to enlighten participants about the university and higher education paths.
- Presentation night to acknowledge the scholarship recipients and allow them to provide feedback on the program.
What makes the program so successful is its determination to break the mould on what is seen traditionally as “men’s” or “women’s” roles. Working with local schools and Murdoch University, Alcoa stresses that any career in the mining and manufacturing industry – be it a diesel mechanic or supervising engineer – is open to any person and it actively supports and encourages young women who have an interest and enthusiasm for a career within Alcoa.
Benefits and Learnings
- Successful recruitment of young women who have been scholarship recipients.
- A closer local workforce through closer relationships and exposure at local schools.
- Brings benefits and assistance to young women in the community.
- Raised expectations, awareness and sensitivity of diversity in the Alcoa workplace.
- Demonstration of the benefits that diversity brings.
- Increased morale through pride and support for the program from both male and female Alcoa employees.
The Future
Alcoa intends to expand the program from its existing Western Australian refineries to Victoria and NSW. It is hoped that as the program continues to grow, the tangible benefits of having more women in industry become apparent.
For more information about education programs supported by Alcoa, see article below:
Work@9 linking classroom theory with workplace experience
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FWOI Case Study
Find out about Sharon Bluett's experiences as a 2003 Alcoa Future Women of Industry Scholarship Recipient.
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