Proudly run by the ATS Diversity in Tunnelling group and generously sponsored by Bouygues Construction Australia, the ATS is thrilled to announce that nominations for the Women in Tunnelling Achievement Award are now open.

Designed to celebrate the leadership and achievements of women making a difference in the tunnelling industry, the Women in Tunnelling Achievement Award aims to promote career advancement and inspire others to support and recognise women who are contributing to the field.

“In recognition of the equality truism that ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’ this award will also help women of all ages visualise themselves growing their careers and achieving great things within the tunnelling industry and associated fields,” says Nadine Makin, Chair of ATS Diversity in Tunnelling.

The award and $5,000 cash prize, generously donated by Bouygues Construction Australia, will be awarded to a woman who has stood out in this sector for their technical excellence and/or industry leadership in their chosen field (for example tunnel design, construction or research); and who actively promotes the role of other women in the industry as a role model, and/or through mentoring or advocacy to attract and retain women and girls in the field.

“We encourage women to recognise their own achievements and nominate themselves, but we also challenge their colleagues and industry friends to think deeply about the additional challenges women continue to face in such a male dominated industry and nominate a woman who has gone above and beyond in the course of their work,” continues Nadine.

(If you are still in the dark about how these additional challenges manifest, the Harvard Business Review’s The Problem of Visibility for Women in Engineering, and How They Manage It, is a good starting point.)

“This is not a tick box exercise,” continues Nadine. “This is a genuine invitation to encourage, support and celebrate the amazing efforts of women working in tunnelling and its related fields.”

Visit our website for information on how to apply: Women in Tunnelling Award – Australian Tunnelling Society (ats.org.au)

The ATS is committed to raising awareness, promoting discussion and encouraging action as part of its diversity strategy. The competition is open to women who are ATS members, NZTS members or Engineers Australia members (as at 5 November 2023 when the award will be presented at the Australasian Tunnelling Conference in New Zealand). Nominations are now open and close on 30 June 2023.