The program was designed to provide students interested in pursuing careers in the STEM industry with opportunities to gain real-world work experience in the defence industry, with the CSIRO, defence and defence industry working together to deliver the program which was based on CSIRO’s Virtual Work Experience program for STEM students.

Throughout the program, students from across the country will be partnered together to develop a final project relating to the STEM field, with the program supervised by industry professionals.

The entire virtual program is designed to be undertaken in a safe and secure online environment.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price noted that the program was developed with the objective of creating a pipeline from the best and brightest high school STEM students to the defence industry.

“Our unprecedented $270 billion in defence capabilities will create thousands of jobs over the coming decades and we must ensure we are ready to capitalise on those opportunities,” Minister Price said.

“This program will deliver a valuable opportunity to 330 students across three years, with a pilot program of 30 students to start in early 2022.

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“As the member of a regional electorate, the fantastic thing about this program is that it is available to students from all parts of the country, whether they’re in Karratha, Cairns or anywhere in between.

“An appropriately skilled and STEM-enabled workforce is fundamental for defence industry to build and develop a robust, resilient and internationally competitive Australian defence industrial base.

“This program is aimed at school students interested in STEM and is designed to create a sustainable pipeline of talent by engaging people across the education spectrum.”

“It also presents an opportunity for defence industry businesses to showcase the breadth of opportunity that exists within the sector within a structured and secure environment.”