Girls Met Female Role Models with Technical Occupations

Girls in ninth grade from Western Norway recently gathered to meet young female professionals from 13 different technical occupations.

The Girls, Technology and Science Day is an annual event in Florø, aiming to recruit more girls from Florø and Eikefjord schools, to choose technical educations.

The Norwegian coast has a great potential for industrial growth related to the ocean industries. There will be an increased demand for technical educated staff in the years to come and women are encouraged to play a larger role.

Huge Marine Potential

Only 6-7% of the world’s food comes from the the oceans. This will have to increase in the future.

Production of renewable energy, deep sea mining, environmental monitoring are also ocean related activities attracting more attention.

The Norwegian coastline and ocean areas will be an expanding «playground» for value creation in the coming years. Recruitment to the ocean based industries is a major task.

Many Technical Professions

The occupations we presented for the pupils were offshore crane operator, electrician, welder, project manager, supply chain manager, different types of engineer, crew coordinator, carpenter and harbour master.

GCE Ocean Technology arrange this event every year, in collaboration with Hub for Ocean and Kinn Municipality.

Girlpower is Needed

Elkem Bremanger was present at the event. The company produces superb quality silicon and ferrosilicon for the world market. Amongst others, Elkem Bremanger delivers products to battery producers.

As we speak, a spaceship on its voyage to March has batteries containing Elkem silicon. The Elkem Bremanger stand was rigged with lots of products and articles showcasing the company’s portfolio.

Sarah Warloe represented the company at our event. She holds a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from NTNU. Warloe comes from Bergen and enjoys her work and life in the Bremanger village.

– I have a very interesting and varied job, giving me challenges and possibilities. I think it is important for young girls to know that working at smaller places can give good career opportunities, says Warloe.

– Recruitment is necessary and must be a focus point for all businesses. I really like the Girls, Technology and Science concept and think it is a good contribution to recruiting girls into technical positions, she ends.

New Insights

The pupils showed great enthusiasm in their meeting with the young female professionals.

– We had a mindblowing experience meeting Sarah Warloe at the Elkem Bremanger stand, say the two pupils Jeineetha Jeikishan and Isabella Iannone.

– We didn´t know about this technical education and the possibilities it offers. We have thought about educating ourselves to become architects, but now we might reconsider and go for technical engineering. This has been a great day, commented the two girls.