For the first time in 30 years, Australia's peak body for building services engineers has appointed a full-time staff member.
Sharon Pestonji has been appointed business development manager and is the first fulltime appointment in the 30 year history of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ).
The CIBSE said the appointment was created because engineering institutions are facing some huge challenges, not least the aging male dominated membership base.
Pestonji, who has returned to Australia after 12 years in Europe, is charged with shaking up the membership mix, attracting more students and in particular more women to the industry.
“Building services engineering is a great profession, and with the environmental challenges that society now faces, I am really excited to be playing a part in encouraging the next generation to step up," she said.
"I appreciate the scale of the challenge, but thankfully the CIBSE ANZ Region is made up of a great team of volunteers who are passionate about delivering a better future, and their positive attitude is inspirational.”
Pestonji has already hit the ground running, contacting a number of universities to roll out a series of initiatives to encourage and support the best and brightest in the ANZ region.
She will be attending the CIBSE ANZ Seminar Series "Getting Smart About Metering" in Sydney this week on March 23, 2017.
"I am excited about meeting members and delegates at this event," Pestonji said.