The Victorian State Government has announced that it will aim to deliver a gender balance in leadership and senior executive positions across water organisations through a new executive leadership program.
Minister for Water, Lisa Neville, said the new Insight: Executive Leadership for Women in Water program would help elevate women into executive leadership roles.
“Improving the gender diversity of our water sector is a key action in Water for Victoria and has clear benefits in making our water corporations and catchment management authorities better organisations that fully reflect the communities they serve,” Ms Neville said.
“The Victorian Government has been working hard since 2016 to create long-term change in the representation of women in leadership roles in the state’s water corporations and catchment management authorities.
“Since then the number of women on water sector boards has increased to more than 50 per cent of all positions, including 18 out of 29 chair positions.
“It is now time to extend this into executive levels. Women currently represent only 20 per cent of managing director and chief executive officer positions in water corporations and catchment management authorities.”
The 12-month program will support and guide women working in the water sector and related fields to develop their leadership skills to best position them for future executive roles.
Women in smaller regional and rural organisations are encouraged to consider the program as part of their long-term commitment to making a difference to their local communities.
Applications for the program are now open for water sector employees and will close on 3 October 2019.
Ms Neville said that water corporations and catchment management authorities are better organisations thanks to greater gender diversity at board level, and it’s now time to extend to executive roles.
“This is about equipping our water sector with the right people and expertise to do its job for the community and protect Victoria’s water security,” Ms Neville said.
“I encourage women who are ready and wanting to move into managing director and chief executive officer roles in our water sector to participate in this exciting program.”
