A Trinity Beach business striving to increase gender diversity in Queensland’s STEM workforce has been awarded a Palaszczuk Government Social Enterprise Growth Grant.
Minister for Seniors and Disability Services, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said a $19,500 grant will allow She Maps to increase their presence in disadvantaged communities.
“She Maps provides a safe, female only space for students to get involved in spatial and drone technology,” Mr Crawford said.
“This is really important work because we know only 28 per cent of the STEM sector is female and that needs to change.
“By giving our teachers the resources to bring real-life experiences to the classroom, students are more likely to make great career choices in the sectors crying out for skilled workers.
“This Social Enterprise Growth Grant will give She Maps the opportunity to develop a strategic marketing strategy to increase their programs’ reach.”
She Maps’ Managing Director Paul Mead said their in-school programs strived to address a looming STEM workforce shortage.
“STEM skills are required by the future workforce, so we empower teachers with resources and inspire students with diverse role models,” Mr Mead said.
“We have an industry partnership with The Surveyors trust, which provides free resources for over 600 teachers and enables us to support 14 regional schools up and down the State, from the tip of Cape York to Gold Coast.
“Next year, we want to connect to more schools and more companies in the spatial and surveying industry to provide students with real world STEM skills.”
Mr Crawford also congratulated Defence Force holiday accommodation provider Northern Queensland Area Holiday Resort on their successful application to build and develop their Cocos Holiday Apartments website.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said 30 organisations have shared in more than $635,000 to grow their operations and goodwill.
“Social enterprises are businesses that address social, cultural and environmental challenges and invest their profits towards that purpose,” Minister Farmer said.
“They are community assets, often supporting disadvantaged Queenslanders into secure jobs.
“We announced our $8 million Social Enterprise Jobs Fund earlier this year to grow the sector and create jobs as part of Queensland’s Economic Recovery Plan.
“Under this Fund, the Growth Grants will support a whole range of projects creating genuine social impact, including recycling clean plastic waste from hospitals and training inmates in graphic design to reduce recidivism.
“Funded organisations can invest in things like new equipment, training or strategic advice and website improvements to scale up or adapt their operations.”
The Palaszczuk Government released the Queensland Social Enterprise Strategy in 2019, designed to build capability and capacity, make connections across the sector and improve market access.
