On January 8th, 2025, Focus held a workshop at the High School for Construction, Geodesy, and Environmental Protection in Ljubljana.
Following previous workshops at the Waldorf School in Ljubljana and Gimnazija Celje, this workshop at the High School for Construction, Geodesy, and Environmental Protection in Ljubljana marked our third session with high school students—and our first workshop exclusively for female participants at a school specializing in technical disciplines. The event was organized as part of the school’s vocational orientation activities for final-year students.
The primary aim of the workshop was to demonstrate how gender stereotypes influence career decisions, using the energy sector as a case study. The session sought to raise awareness of how gendered perceptions shape vocational choices and to encourage students to think critically about breaking these stereotypes.
To fill the classroom, female students were gathered from all three programs—construction, geodesy, and environmental protection—highlighting the gender imbalance prevalent in technical fields. At this school, as in most technical disciplines, female students remain in the minority.
During the workshop, it became evident that many of the participants had encountered, and successfully overcome, various obstacles in pursuing their studies. Some shared stories of initial skepticism from family members when they announced their interest in studying construction. However, they emphasized that confidence and determination were key in their decision to pursue a technical field.
The discussion was notably more dynamic compared to previous workshops. This underscored the importance of creating women-only spaces where participants feel more comfortable sharing their experiences and opinions. In mixed-gender settings, women often face societal norms or unconscious biases that can hinder open participation. Providing a women-only environment allowed these students to engage more freely and confidently.
Encouraged by the success of this workshop, we are excited to announce a follow-up workshop for third-year female students at the same school, scheduled for February 6, 2025..
