HUNTER BUSINESS: TODD WILLIAMS
PARTNERSHIPS are essential for economic development. There is no better proof than the way Hunter businesses in partnership with local schools are providing pathways to future careers and better jobs through the ME Program. These alliances are developing the Hunter’s smart schools and delivering a skilled workforce to secure the region’s competitiveness.
This month we’ll welcome some influential visitors to the Hunter.
Australia’s Chief Scientist, the Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Science, Karen Andrews MP, the NSW Minister with three portfolios: Regional Development, Skills and Small Business, the Hon John Barilaro MP, as well as ministerial advisers have accepted our invitations to visit the Hunter.
These influential leaders will have opportunities to experience first-hand our unique pathway partnerships and to hear directly from students, teachers and business leaders. They will be out meeting local people, listening to local stories and going to places and events that will provide tangible evidence of the Hunter’s strengths and insights to opportunities for new and deeper partnerships.
Professor Ian Chubb AC has made the case quite forcefully for a national strategy to lift participation in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Engaging more of the population in STEM is critical for the nation’s future.
We in the Hunter are doing something about it. STEM subjects are at the core of RDA Hunter’s ME Program.
Over the past five years, the ME Program has successfully increased the participation of Hunter students enrolled in HSC science and maths to above the state average. Our partnerships with state, independent, selective and Catholic schools and local businesses have developed, implemented and assessed the outcomes of STEM courses. These courses include projects in emerging technologies, such as systems integration, robotics, 3D printing and problem-based learning. This year we have expanded our STEM initiative to primary schools through the Mini ME Program.
Through the ME Program, the Hunter is developing a larger pool of workers with skills required for industries such as advanced manufacturing and defence.
Further evidence that national security is linked to STEM is the Defence Intelligence and Security Group’s recruitment campaign targeted at STEM graduates and professionals.
Encouragingly, there are more proponents from a variety of national and local organisations adding their voice and support for action on STEM. The Ai Group, PwC, BHP, GE, Business Council of Australia, the Australian Council of Learned Academics, the Australian Council for Education Research and Google are among them.
In a recent interview, the managing director for Google Aust/NZ, Maile Carnegie, observed: “We don’t know what the new jobs will look like because they haven’t been created yet, but we know that the number one thing we will need is STEM skills.”
Urgent improvements to deliver a digitally literate and skilled workforce are required to ensure we have a globally competitive economy.
As this busy month shows, RDA Hunter continues to bring together groups, organisations, individuals and governments to add value to the region’s competitiveness. We know the Hunter is characterised by our core competencies, investment potential, community strengths and commitment to build a better future. This is an opportune time to share our story with policy-makers, advisers, investment analysts and public opinion leaders.
Limited spaces are available for the public lecture by Australia’s Chief Scientist from 4.15pm on Tuesday, July 28, at Newcastle City Hall; email admin@rdahunter.org.au.
View the Newcastle Herald article http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3193191/todd-williams-stemming-regions-future/?cs=4200