How to capitalize on the ongoing 4th industrial revolution and make the shift to STEM
The fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us. There is an urgent need for women to take advantage of the fact that for this revolution to succeed and to develop the advanced systems required for this highly digitised economy and the complexity it creates, it needs STEM experts and their fresh ideas.
Looking at future demand, we can clearly see that the global workforce is facing a deficiency of STEM experts with a significant female talent gap. According to UNESCO, women represent less than 30 percent of today’s STEM workforce worldwide. It is fair to say that we have some big skill challenges across STEM with female talent being one of the most underutilized and untapped. It is therefore vital that STEM is championed, both through investment in women and nurturing talent in girls that generates new thinking, innovation, a shift to a real love for STEM and a relentless desire to inspire creative solutions.
Increasing female participation is an opportunity to address the skill and talent shortage in STEM. It is also a unique opportunity to address the long-existing gender gap and divide in the economy at this age of disruption and a way to empower women economically as they get access to jobs created in the STEM sectors.
It is important to know that women have played and continue to play vital roles in society and the economy. They account for a substantial potential talent base, empowering them yields one of the highest returns of all development investments. Therefore, competitiveness in the long term depends significantly on how women are educated, trained, and equipped to be participating agents of the 4th Industrial revolution. With STEM, women can become equipped to find sustainable jobs and lifelong careers allowing them to maximize their contributions to their communities and the economy. Capitalizing on the 4th industrial revolution and associated opportunities generated in the STEM sectors is a key enabler to women empowerment. Women must be fully conscious of it and be proactive to participate, engage and fully embrace STEM.
Women have the capacity to excel in STEM. Often, they just need the right mindset, opportunity, and circumstances. Our new connected world brings technology and resources together, creating enablers that can help women across the globe accomplish extraordinary things for themselves, their families, their societies and the world. That’s where the real empowerment is!
Thanks to STEM women have the opportunity to be game-changers and level up their power and impact in the world. We live in an increasingly digital and complex economy, the new ideas that drive it, the big data that powers it, and the infrastructure that underpins it open new doors to women globally; Everything in the digital economy relies on STEM. Ladies and girls make the shift to be at the centre of your economic empowerment!
About Author
Mireille Toulekima is the founder and managing partner of the independent oil and gas consulting company MT Energy Resources based in Perth (Australia). A petroleum engineer by background, Mireille received her Bachelor of Sciences from ISERPA (Institut Superieur de Recherche en Production Automatisée) in France before having an accomplished international career of more than 20 years in upstream oil and gas in a range of management and technical assignments
Mireille Toulekima
Mireille Toulekima is a renowned expert in oil and gas investment accross emerging and developing markets, with expertise in developing fit-for- purpose content policies, strategy and processes, combined with vast technical experience in oil and gas project management and execution
