“Technology is not just for men!”

07.03.2025
General

Cornelia Hagele, Regional Minister for Education, during her opening speech at Girls! TECH UP Day in the “Festsaal” (Festivities Hall) of the FH Kufstein Tirol.

The Girls! TECH UP Day took place for the first time in western Austria at the Kufstein Uni. In this interview, Dr. Cornelia Hagele, the regional government representative for education, talks about the importance of such initiatives and what it takes to get more girls interested in technology.

Technical professions are still heavily male-dominated – but initiatives such as Girls! TECH UP Day are a sign of change. For the first time in western Austria, the event at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol offered girls the chance to experience technology up close. In an interview, Dr. Cornelia Hagele, Tyrolean State Minister of Education, talks about the importance of such measures and future challenges.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT, IN YOUR OPINION, THAT INITIATIVES LIKE GIRLS! TECH UP NOW ALSO TAKE PLACE IN WESTERN AUSTRIA?

MMag.a Dr. Cornelia Hagele: There are no female or male professions. Everyone should have the opportunity to shape their professional career based on their strengths and interests. Unfortunately, however, it is still not uncommon for many technical professions to be largely practiced by more men. The reason for this is usually social gender stereotypes, which are reinforced from an early age. In these industries, however, the income and career opportunities are usually much higher. This makes it all the more important to inspire girls and young women to take up technology and technical professions with initiatives such as Girls! Tech Up and to encourage them to pursue training in this field. I am therefore very pleased that Girls! Tech Up recently took place in Tyrol for the first time.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THIS FORMAT FOR THE PUPILS FROM TYROL AND SALZBURG?

Hagele: Initiatives like these help girls lose their inhibitions about technical occupations. Ideally, we spark a spark of enthusiasm at events like this that opens up new prospects for the future for girls. In any case, we show girls that technology isn't just for men!

WHAT ADDED VALUE DOES THE COOPERATION BETWEEN SCHOOLS, HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND INDUSTRY PROVIDE AT EVENTS LIKE THE TECH-UP DAY?

Hagele: To get girls excited about STEM subjects, we all have to work together. There are a variety of approaches to raising awareness of the topic and, in a further step, supporting girls in gaining a foothold in the field – whether through research projects, special funding or technical companies that provide insight into their work and the diverse opportunities in the industry.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ADDITIONAL MEASURES ARE NEEDED TO GET MORE GIRLS INTERESTED IN TECHNICAL PROFESSIONS?

Hagele: A bundle of measures is needed – from information offers to concrete funding. In Tyrol, we are already implementing a wide range of initiatives to achieve this: Girls' Day Tyrol has been running for over 20 years to raise young women's awareness of the range of STEM professions, but also of skilled trades. This year it takes place on April 24 and offers female students the opportunity to discover new skills and interests as well as career paths away from traditional role models. The Tyrolean Women's Prize is intended to encourage people to stand up for equality and equal opportunities and to honor role models. It will be awarded for the second time this year and honors women or projects that highlight inequalities, question gender stereotypes and focus on the experiences and perspectives of women.

HOW DOES TIROL COMPARE TO OTHER FEDERAL STATES IN TERMS OF GIRLS IN STEM EDUCATION?

Hagele: As part of the Tyrolean MINT strategy, the state of Tyrol, together with its partners the Tyrolean Chamber of Labor, the Tyrolean Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Austrian Industries Tyrol and the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB), have joined forces to form the Tyrolean MINT Education Working Group. In this network, they are working to expand STEM teaching and STEM equipment in kindergartens and schools. To this end, new STEM educational regions have recently been established to promote young talent. Addressing girls explicitly is a very important part of this.

HOW DO YOU THINK INITIATIVES LIKE GIRLS! TECH UP DAY COULD HELP TO STRENGTHEN THE IMAGE OF THE FEDERAL STATE OF TYROL AS A PLACE FOR EDUCATION AND INNOVATION?

Hagele: Let's break down clichés and stereotypes and give our young people the opportunity to develop based on their strengths and interests. What I like to do, I do well. If we inspire talented girls to pursue technical careers and research, we will increase our innovative strength in the country and develop our education system into a free space for development.