IWD: Breaking the bias with new internships for women in Melbourne

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) says it is proud to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD 8 March) and has created new partnerships with technical education providers to elevate MCEC as an inclusive employer for female graduates in traditionally male-dominant areas. This year’s IWD theme is ‘Break the Bias,’ and MCEC says it is proud to be helping to empower women to follow whichever path they choose. The venue management team says the purpose is to encourage more female participation in operational and technical areas, to broaden the general candidate pools and to improve opportunities for greater diversity and inclusion in the workforce. Recently hired intern, Ebony Watts is a graduate of the RMIT Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services course and was offered the role in a six-month, full time level 1 placement capacity. “This is a big step for me,” she says. “This is my first real job and I never thought I would be working in a venue like this. “I have tagged along with lighting techs, multimedia techs and even venue techs in addition to the general AV crew I have been rostered with. Everyone I’ve met is really nice and has warmly welcomed me.” “My interest is primarily in lighting tech and I’m fairly confident with basic vision tech. I’m nervous to learn more about audio as it’s currently my weak point but I know it’s a necessary part of AV and I’m confident I will get the appropriate support to delve into that area at MCEC,” she adds.