A work experience programme is providing girls and gender diverse students from the ACT and NSW with placements in ICT, giving them practical exposure to a range of technology careers.
Women in ICT (WIC) is running the 2025 Work Experience Connection Programme, which will see 43 high school students from Years 9 to 12 placed in various organisations, including the Australian Federal Police (AFP), eSafety Commissioner, CDC Data Centres, and Treasury. The initiative aims to advance gender diversity in the technology sector by supporting students as they explore careers in operations, networks, penetration testing, cybersecurity, coding, human resources, and consulting.
Placements last five days and are matched to each student's individual interests and aspirations, as well as the requirements of the host organisation. This approach is designed to allow students to apply their classroom learning in a practical environment and to see the breadth of opportunities available in the ICT sector.
One participant, Year 11 student Chiara Scavone, completed her work placement at Chalfont Consulting. There, she learned about the variety of ICT career paths available and engaged in discussions about different industry areas.
Year 12 student Sia Bahl also shared her positive experience after her placement at Reason Group.
The Work Experience Connection Programme was launched in 2023 to foster engagement with ICT among school-age girls and gender diverse students. Organisers note that the programme seeks to demonstrate that ICT careers can be enjoyable and rewarding, while also addressing the wider industry challenge of gender imbalance. An RMIT report referenced by WIC indicates that women currently make up only 30% of the Australian technology workforce.
WIC President Josephine Calabria explained the rationale behind the programme and the approach to engaging students early.
The AFP has participated in the programme for three years, with six students expected to complete placements there in 2025. Rebecca Logue, Coordinator Foundation Capability Systems at the AFP, outlined the organisation's experience as a host.
This year's host organisations encompass a wide range of government agencies and private sector companies, including A23, ACT Education Directorate, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, Bluebird Advisory, Chalfont Consulting, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Defence Housing Australia, Deloitte, Emanate Technology, Hide and Seek Digital, Microsoft, Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Pragma Partners, Reason Group, RKDN, Sol, and Treasury, alongside the AFP, CDC Data Centres, and eSafety Commissioner.
Unlike many similar schemes, WIC's programme does not require participants to have prior ICT experience. The organisation highlights that students only need to bring curiosity, with the programme designed to support school-run work experience initiatives and to build partnerships with both schools and diverse employers.
WIC states that it is committed to removing barriers to ICT participation, promoting equality, and supporting women in the sector, from school engagement through industry contact and mentoring.

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