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Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA), Regional Development Australia (RDA) Hunter and University of Newcastle have announced the winners of the inaugural Altitude Accord Scholarship as part of their partnership to help build an industry-skilled, homegrown Hunter workforce for the region’s growing defence industry.
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Three teams comprising Christopher Neal, Matthew Wheeler, Gerard Lazarus, Ian Whittall, Ashleigh Rattray, Tahlia West, Jennifer Johnston, Stephanie McManus, Jack Sulis, Toby Barry, Joshua Price and David Seddon were deemed winners of the 2019 scholarship following the Glider Competition demonstration at the University of Newcastle’s Great Hall.
The competition, that saw 15 teams of three to four students design, construct, test and fly gliders, was the culmination of the first semester project of the University of Newcastle’s inaugural aerospace systems engineering degree course.
The 70-strong cohort competed for the coveted Scholarship Tour prize that entitles each of the three winning groups to join a four-day visit to LMA sites in Victoria and the ACT this July. In support of the Altitude Accord’s aims, LMA and University of Newcastle each contributed $10,000 and RDA Hunter in-kind facilitation to offer the scholarship prize.
Students won exclusive access to the LMA’s facilities in Melbourne and its Endeavour Centre at Lockheed Martin House in Canberra as well as site/museum visits and attendance at the Women in Defence Awards Gala event.
Interim chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand Scott Thompson said he is proud to be part of the partnership with RDA Hunter and UoN, which is actively seeking to raise the technology base of the future workforce of the Hunter region.
"Through this partnership, we will share our knowledge and expertise with Hunter students, connecting them with the region’s wider defence industry, education and government organisations to help build the workforce it needs, while providing Hunter students with pathways to long-term career opportunities in the region," said Thompson.
LMA funded RDA Hunter to facilitate the accord, with an investment of more than $40,000 over two years to deliver:
- Scholarships for 10 University of Newcastle first year aerospace systems engineering students to attend a fully-funded Lockheed Martin Australia education and research program tour, which includes a tour of the STELaRLab in Melbourne, Endeavour Centre in Canberra and the Williamtown RAAF base;
- LMA’s commitment to collaborating with the University of Newcastle on the curriculum design of the undergraduate aerospace degree;
- Facilitation of closer working connections between the University of Newcastle and the STELaRLab based at the University of Melbourne; and
- Upcoming opportunities for a university lecture series featuring LMA’s Australian and international industry experts.
According to RDA Hunter’s executive officer and director of regional development, Trevor John, RDA Hunter has a strong and long-term focus on building an industry-skilled, homegrown workforce to support Hunter industry.
"We are very pleased to facilitate the partnership between Lockheed Martin Australia and the University of Newcastle. The Altitude Accord is a valuable component in our suite of workforce development initiatives," John said.
John continued, "New industry-led, team-based activities such as the Glider Competition and Scholarship Tour offer students unique opportunities to engage with industry and better understand pathways to legitimate long-term career opportunities here in the Hunter region."
University of Newcastle’s head of school for engineering, Professor Mark Jones, said the aerospace systems engineering degree prepares students with career-ready skills.
"Initiatives such as the Glider Competition offer valuable hands-on experiences for our students to develop their problem-solving skills beyond the classroom. We know how important it is for students to be job-ready," Professor Jones explained.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
