Supporting women in leadership

The Hodgman majority Liberal Government is committed to creating a more inclusive Tasmania that empowers and enables women and girls to fully participate in our economic, social, political and community life.

The Tasmanian Forest and Forest Products Network is a proud supporter of this initiative and encourages all women in the industry to take advantage of any opportunities arising as a result of this initiative.

The Board Diversity Governance Scholarships Program is a joint initiative of the Government and Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), to support Tasmanian women to gain a greater understanding of the duties and responsibilities of being a board director.

Minister for Women, Sarah Courtney, has been in discussions with key peak bodies in industries where women are traditionally under-represented on Government boards and in leadership roles.

The Board Diversity Governance Scholarships Program is partnering with these key peak bodies to jointly promote the scholarship program though their networks.

This year, the Program is targeting applications from women working in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, building and construction and the mining sectors with scholarships to be awarded to undertake the Company Directors Course and Foundations of Directorship Course.

Scholarships for the Not-for-Profit Directors Course will also be available for the first time, responding to feedback from industry about how best to support women in these areas.

Minister Courtney said that while it is specifically targeting these areas, the Program remains open to all interested women to apply.

With 75 scholarships awarded to Tasmanian women since 2015, the Program is part of the Government’s Women on Boards Strategy to increase the representation of women on Government boards and committees to 50 per cent by 2020.

As at 30 June 2019, the percentage of board positions held by women is at 44.90 per cent. There has been an increase of nearly 11 percentage points in the number of board positions held by women since 2015.

Applications for the Program are now open and close on Monday 9 December 2019.

The Tasmanian Forest and Forest Products Network strongly encourage women in our industry to apply for this Program.

Information on the Program, including the guidelines and details about how to apply are available by calling the AICD on 1300 739 119 or emailing tas@aicd.com.au.