ECP Asset Management has partnered with the University of Sydney Business School to deliver a program designed to increase the number of female graduates choosing financial services as a career path.
Now in its third year, the ECP Industry Immersion Program runs twice per year and provides students undertaking business and financial courses with a practical overview of the investment and funds management industry. One program per year is designed specifically for female students, allowing them to directly learn from and connect with female professionals across the industry, broadening students' understanding of the roles available as they embark on their own career paths. Submissions for the next female-only program in May will open later this month.
Andrew Dale, partner, investments at ECP Asset Management, says the program equips students with first-hand industry experience, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world investment decision-making.
“We saw a real need in the market to be able to provide students from business and finance courses with knowledge and understanding about the different career paths that exist in the industry. A core strength of the initiative is its impact on improving gender diversity in finance.
“Our goal was to use this program to address the underrepresentation of women in the asset management industry. The Employer Gender Pay Gaps Report 2023-24, published earlier this week by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, highlights the lack of female participation in our industry with 96 per cent of all financial and insurance services companies being male-dominated.
“We see this gap in the market and that is why we wanted to provide an avenue for female students especially to realise their potential in this industry and make connections with industry professionals, to get their career in finance off on the right foot,” said Mr Dale.
Two-thirds of all students that have gone through the program have secured internship or graduate positions in the industry across banking, accounting, consulting and investments.
“The program has also contributed to enhanced employability outcomes, with students gaining valuable recruitment advice, internship opportunities, and a deeper understanding of industry expectations. By working on real-world investment challenges, students can apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, reinforcing their skills and career readiness,” he said.
Professor Eliza Wu, head of discipline (Finance) from the University of Sydney Business School, said the ECP Industry Immersion Program is invaluable for students as they begin their careers, especially to female students studying banking and finance majors.
“51 per cent of all students enrolled in banking and finance majors are females. Of those, 48 per cent do not go on to complete their final year finance core units. This highlights that although there is real interest from women to learn and pursue a career in finance, there is something stopping them from entering the finance workforce.
“Strategic links with the corporate world play a crucial role in all aspects of the Business School’s teaching, research, and engagement activities. The ECP Industry Immersion Program has become very popular at our school and for every instalment we receive roughly six times more applications than spots available, really highlighting the need for such programs to exist and be driven by the financial corporations.
“By engaging directly with industry professionals, our finance students develop a deeper understanding of investment strategies and market dynamics and build critical industry connections that can shape their future careers.
“This program enriches the student experience and provides an invaluable opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the asset management industry and exposure to the breadth of career paths within the finance sector, and hopefully lead more women into this sector,” she said.
Other financial services companies supporting the initiative include Morgan Financials Limited and Judo Bank.
