Women’s scholarships program to expand
A corporate governance training initiative to develop the skills of women as Board Directors will be offered over the next two years.
A joint initiative of the Victorian Coalition Government and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (Company Directors), the Victorian Women's Governance Scholarships will be extended to provide a further 68 women with training in corporate governance through participation in the organisation's highly respected Company Directors Course.
Minister for Women's Affairs Mary Wooldridge made the announcement this week during her keynote address at the Telstra Victorian Business Women's Awards in Melbourne – the same event at which she announced the initial round of 34 scholarships last year.
"Through the Women's Governance Scholarships, the Coalition Government is providing more than 100 Victorian women with the training and skills to assist them to be successful as Board Directors," Ms Wooldridge said.
The scholarships are available to women on the boards of not-for-profit organisations in receipt of State Government funding to undertake corporate governance training provided by Company Directors.
"As well as enhancing the skills of the scholarship recipients for their current and future roles as Directors, the program strengthens the governance of the not-for-profit boards on which these highly talented women currently serve," Ms Wooldridge said.Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Company Directors John Colvin said the scholarships provide support to female directors serving their communities in the not-for-profit sector.
"A diverse range of skills, experience and a good gender balance is an important aspect of good governance across all sectors, including the not-for-profit sector," Mr Colvin said.
"Directors of not-for-profit organisations, who more often than not, perform their role voluntarily, broadly have the same legal responsibilities as for-profit Directors and need to be armed with a good understanding of the responsibilities and risks of Directorship."
Ms Wooldridge also acknowledged the importance of the Telstra Women's Business Awards, which are now in their 18
th year."These awards recognise outstanding women who are leading the way across a range of fields locally, nationally and internationally. I wish the Victorian winners well for the national finals in November," Ms Wooldridge said.
Applications for the scholarships open in October. For more information, visit www.companydirectors.com.au/boarddiversity
For more information about the Telstra Women's Business Awards, including the Victorian winners, visit www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com
