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The Re-Engineering Australia Foundation and Regional Development Australia – Hunter have been awarded this year’s Schools Pathways Program (SPP) grants, designed to raise student awareness of careers in defence industry.
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Defence Industry Minister Steven Ciobo said this would allow young Australians to learn about the career opportunities available within the growing defence industry sector.
Minister Ciobo said these grants would be used to facilitate student collaboration with industry partners and equip them with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills and knowledge they needed to pursue further education, training and careers in defence industry.
He said Australian defence industry was set to provide a growing number of rewarding long-term career opportunities as a number of major Defence projects ramp up over the next decade.
“The Schools Pathways Program is one of many ways the Morrison government is helping create a workforce with the right skills to meet current and future demand from industry and government in an environment of rapid technological change,” the minister said.
“The government is working to build the country’s defence sovereign capability to create a stronger Defence Force that will keep Australia safe and secure.”
The SPP is an initiative within the Industry Skilling Program Enhancement (ISPE) package launched in 2008 and address the downturn number and performance of students in STEM subjects.
That threatened to disrupt Australia’s performance across all industries and sectors, but specifically defence industry.
Grants though the SPP aim to raise student awareness of possible defence industry careers, support the development or continuation of programs that encourages the uptake of STEM subjects and increase the number of students undertaking STEM subjects in participating schools.
The Re-Engineering Australia Foundation aims to reverse the decline in students taking STEM subjects by making them “cool”.
“Our programs link schools, industry, TAFE, universities and parents in a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment focused on attracting students to take up STEM-based subjects at school and careers after leaving school,” it says on its website.
The Hunter region of NSW is set to host significant defence industry. Regional Development Australia – Hunter was established in 2009 to promote the Hunter economy.
