Former Head Girl Continues on Pathway to Success
PRESS RELEASE – 4 February 2014
Allie Foote is the inaugural recipient of the Beca Engineering Technology scholarship for an individual undertaking an
engineering diploma or degree at the Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec).
Allie (pictured with Mike Kerr, Wellington Regional Manager for Beca) is about to start year two of the Bachelor of
Engineering Technology at WelTec. Allie is the former Head Girl of Samuel Marsden at Whitby and wants to make a
contribution to New Zealand’s renewable energy production by becoming an engineer.
“I have always been a determined student and I’m passionate about making a difference particularly when it comes to the
environment. Physics and maths especially statistics were my favourite subjects at school and I took them through to
NCEA level three. Engineering is a natural choice for me and now with a Beca scholarship I’m in a great position to
achieve my goals,” says Allie.
Growing up, Allie was surrounded by some powerful female role models including her Aunty who held a senior job with
Telecom. “My Aunty knows what she wants to do and she’s good at anything. I want to be like her. I like design and
drawing and the practical side of learning at WelTec. It suits me and we do really cool projects,” says Allie.
Allie is now being mentored by Sophie Gueroult, a senior engineer at Beca. “Sophie has been really great to chat with
and she’s given me a fantastic insight into what the power generation industry is looking for and this has helped me
identify the major for my degree,” says Allie.
As a Beca scholarship recipient Allie will spend time on site at Beca undertaking projects and work experience. “If
Allie does well this year with her studies we’ll look to support her where we can,” says Beca’s Mike Kerr.
“Beca is pleased to encourage diversity in the engineering profession. Allie was selected for a Beca scholarship as she
has very clear goals. Her motivation to succeed is high and this is evidenced by her outstanding results in year one of
the degree,” says Mr. Kerr.
“The New Zealand engineering job market is highly resource constrained and we need engineering technologist graduates to
meet the massive shortfall the industry is facing. We need more women to be thinking about engineering as a career.
Allie is a great role model for young women who are contemplating what they would like to do job wise. Secondary
students need to be making good subject choices early on as Allie has done so they don’t rule themselves out of a career
in engineering.
“We need to get back to a focus on science and maths so our economy can really get moving,” says Mr. Kerr.
Background
The Occupation Outlook 2014 published by the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment identifies engineering professionals as having high job prospects and income. (http://www.dol.govt.nz/publications/lmr/occupational-outlook/)
WelTec is offering scholarships to people wanting to study on the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering or the Bachelor of
Engineering Technology. Applications close 21 February 2014.
ENDS