Since 2010 7,500 students have participated in RDA Hunter’s ME Program.

Funded through the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), the ME Program:
• equips its partner high schools with the latest technology including 3D printers;
• facilitates opportunities for teachers to align course content in STEM (science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) with industry needs;
• connects students with industry via relevant, hands-on experiences; and
• provides industry with a high quality, skilled and willing work force.

In Phase One, 25 Hunter high schools have engaged with 32 Hunter based companies – up from the initial four Hunter high schools and four industry partners when the ME Program  commenced in 2010. These smart schools together with local industry are building a skilled and tailored workforce for the future.

The ME Program is an industry focused STEM program that creates a highly skilled and diverse workforce. It has increased maths and science based subject selection in its partner schools; created iSTEM – a Board of Studies approved course implemented across NSW; and developed the Living Toolkit – a set of problem based learning resources for teachers.

It has also improved its industry partners’ access to a pool of ready, skilled staff. Industry partner, Ampcontrol, reported a 70% increase in the uptake of apprentices from 2012 to 2013.

“The results of the first phase of the ME Program have shown it to be a hugely successful model,” said RDA Hunter CEO Todd Williams

“With the majority of Hunter high schools linked with the region’s key industry, outcomes have surpassed all expectations. We are very proud of the Program’s status as Australia’s most innovative workforce development program.” continued Mr Williams.

“We are looking forward to Phase Two of the Program which will see our work to tailor a skilled and ready workforce of the future continue.” said Ashley Cox, RDA Hunter’s ME Program Manager.

Key outcomes of Phase One of RDA Hunter’s ME Program include:
• 17% of ME Program students now select HSC Physics compared with the NSW average of 14%
• In NSW 12% of HSC Physics students will drop the subject before Year 12, in ME schools this rate is just 6%
• 12% of ME Program students now select HSC Engineering Studies compared to the NSW average of 4%
• In 2012 West Wallsend High reported it had enough interest to run its first HSC Mathematics Extension 1 class
• 14% of ME Program students will select Metals and Engineering Certificate II for their HSC compared with the state average of 3%
• Schools running the ME Programs’ Board of Studies approved subject, iSTEM, has increased from 7 in early 2014 to 32

Download the ME Program Outcomes Overview