Women of all ages and background can apply for help gaining qualifications in traditionally male-dominated industries like engineering and agriculture, with applications for the second round of the State Government’s $10 million Supporting Women Scholarships open today.

The scholarships are worth up to $20,000 each, with up to $5000 per year for three years for women studying agricultural, environmental, architecture, building, engineering, earth sciences and information technology courses. They're available for vocational education and training, undergraduate degrees and post graduate qualifications, and the funding can be used to offset costs associated with study such as fees, textbooks and course materials.

“Queensland needs a highly skilled and motivated workforce to build our four-pillar economy, and increasing women’s participation rates in high-priority areas will help deliver that talent,” said Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek.

“This is a double-win for our state - alleviating skill shortages and helping women to take a lead role in sectors which have traditionally been male-dominated," he said. "Our government delivered more than $2 million worth of scholarships to more than 120 worthy recipients earlier this year...We’ve got more than 300 more scholarships available to dedicated women over the next three years. This is a great opportunity to gain the necessary skills for a challenging and rewarding career, as well as contribute to Queensland’s economy.”

Applications close 11 October 2013 for scholarships commencing at the beginning of the 2014 academic year.

For more information about the Supporting Women Scholarships program, visit www.supportingwomen.qld.gov.au.