STEM skills opportunities boosted through School Pathways Program

Tens of thousands of Australian school students will have more opportunities to experience Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related activities following the extension of a vital Morrison Government schools program.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the Schools Pathway Program – a critical initiative aimed at boosting interest in STEM subjects – would continue until 2021-22 following a $5.2 million funding boost.

“The Schools Pathways Program is a key initiative of the Defence Industry Skilling and STEM Strategy,” Minister Price said.

“It will continue to improve access for secondary students to defence industry career pathways by engaging in interactive STEM-based activities.”

Initiatives being funded through the program include the SUBS in Schools challenge, a national challenge in which school teams design and build operational Remotely Operated Vehicles or submarines.

It was conceived following the Morrison Government’s commitment to the Future Submarine Program, which will create thousands of jobs over the coming decades.

The Schools Pathway Program will also fund the Advanced Technology Program, which links schools with defence industry through Space education.

“Initiatives such as these provide secondary students with hands-on STEM experiences and supports the Morrison Government’s effort to enhance engagement in STEM studies and careers,” Minister Price said.

“I am also delighted to announce that the SUBS in Schools national challenge final is expected to take place on 2-3 December 2021 at the Australian Maritime College in Launceston, Tasmania.

“We expect that about 350 talented students will participate in the state finals with up to 125 students qualifying through to the national final challenge.

“The continuation of the Schools Pathways Program demonstrates the Morrison Government’s commitment to long-term investment in a highly skilled defence industry workforce pipeline.

“We are determined to build a robust, resilient and internationally competitive Australian defence industrial base.”

More than 189,000 students from metropolitan and regional areas have engaged with defence industry organisations through their participation in the program.