Today in Western Sydney, Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee announced the NSW Government has teamed with the CSIRO to launch a new $25 million program to attract, support and retain young people in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education and skilled careers.

There is a clear current and future need for STEM-skilled talent. STEM skills are already in high demand and growing at 1.5 times faster than other jobs. Generation STEM takes a community driven approach, ensuring tailored programs address local employer requirements and equip young people with the relevant skills to secure local jobs.

The first location priority for Generation STEM is Western Sydney where there is a growing need for a STEM-skilled workforce due to major developments, such as Western Sydney Airport. These developments are expected to generate 200,000 STEM jobs in the region over 20 years.

The first program to launch is the STEM Community Partnerships Program which targets year 9 and 10 school students and provides them with the opportunity to work on their own STEM challenges, visit industry locations and learn about STEM career opportunities.

The investment will be held by the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF), for which CSIRO’s Chief Executive, Dr Larry Marshall is the Trustee. “CSIRO solves Australia’s greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Through this endowment to SIEF, the Generation STEM partnership will inspire tomorrow’s STEM leaders and grow Australia’s future success and prosperity.”

“Today’s students will use science to invent their own careers, creating a better future for all of us. Generation STEM will help to make this vision a reality”.

The announcement was held at Varley Group in Yennora, Western Sydney. Varley is an Australian Company that has expanded and diversified their business in engineering and manufacturing to include sites around Australia and overseas. Varley has worked successfully as a community partner to schools and have signed up as an industry partner in Generation STEM.

For more information visit https://www.csiro.au/en/Education/Programs/Generation-STEM/News