Katherine Ziesing | Canberra

A partnership between a number of Defence companies and agencies, The Future Through Collaboration (TFTC), has launched its 2016 mentoring program for young female engineers and program managers.

Building on the success of the pilot program last year that saw 11 mentors and mentees matched up, the programs this year is hosting 30 mentors and mentees through a guided programs to grow the skills of all parties.

“We can't tackle diversity on our own,” Alex Parkin, engineering manager at Airservices Australia said at the Canberra launch. “We need to build links and partnerships across industries and disciplines.”

"The program provided me tools and guidance to go forward but also relationships that I will carry with me."

As a formal mentoring program, mentors and mentees are matched based on their goals, objectives and professional backgrounds. Through the course of 12 months they will meet on a monthly basis to discuss and plan how to actualise their goals.

Participants are provided with an induction training session every quarter and will be supported throughout the year with facilitated group sessions to encourage their success.

AltusQ, an expert in leadership, business coaching and mentoring programs, delivers the program training and facilitated sessions.

One of participants from the pilot program Caroline Chai of BAE Systems said the program had “a profound impact on her”.

“The program provided me tools and guidance to go forward but also relationships that I will carry with me,” Chai told the new program entrants. “TFTC is collaboration in action in industry.”

Participants in the program this year include Raytheon, Airservices, BAE Systems, Navy, Jacobs, Kinetic Recruitment, QinetiQ, the Department of Defence, and Lockheed Martin.