Page 48 - Australian Defence Magazine Aug 2019

STEM
NSC
WHAT STEM PROGRAM SUCCESS CAN LOOK LIKE: ALTITUDE ACCORD SCHOLARSHIP TOUR
KATHERINE ZIESING | CANBERRA
Altitude Accord is a strategic partnership launched by Lock- heed Martin Australia (LMA) in February to bring transfor- mative developments to undergraduate curriculum at the University of Newcastle. The partnership with Regional De- velopment Australia (RDA) Hunter and University of New- castle is a commitment to creating genuine opportunities for Australian in regional centres and growing economic pros- perity in regional Australia.
The Altitude Accord supports the development of tailored and targeted initiatives to develop the future high-value skills of a new generation workforce. LMA has funded RDA Hunter to facilitate the Altitude Accord with the University of New- castle, which will see an investment of more than $40,000 over two years.
Specifically, the accord will deliver:
• Scholarships for 10 University of Newcastle first year Aero-
space Systems Engineering students to attend a fully-fund- ed LMA education and research program tour of the STE- LaRLAB in Melbourne and Endeavour Centre in Canberra, and a tour of 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 Mel- bourne University.
• Upcoming opportunities for a University lecture series fea- turing Lockheed Martin’s Australian and international in- dustry experts.
The competition for the scholarship saw 15 teams of 3-4 stu- dents design, construct, test and fly gliders, which was the cul- mination of the first semester project of the University of New- castle’s inaugural Aerospace Systems Engineering Degree course. The winners from the program this year have complet- ed their study tour, including attendance of ADM’s Women in Defence Award gala dinner (see P18 for more on this) along- side sites in Canberra and Melbourne such as STELaRLab and Marand, a key SME supporter for the F-35 program.
Interim Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Australia and NZ,
Scott Thompson 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 knowl- edge and expertise with Hunter students, connecting them with the region’s wider defence industry, education and government organisations to help build the work- force it needs, while providing Hunter students with path- ways to long-term career opportunities in the region,” Thompson said.
According to RDA Hunter’s Executive Officer and Direc- tor 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.
“New industry-led, team-based activities such as the Glid- er 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,” John said.
emerging technologies. The Australian Industry and Skills Committee, and its network of Industry Reference Commit- tees (IRCs) should be held accountable for ensuring training packages remain current and relevant. Industry representatives and employers must also ensure strong engage- ment with individual providers to ensure training is contextualised to reflect indus- try practices and requirements within the unit of competency standards.
Pipeline
The NSI, now under the guidance of new CEO Ian Irving, seems predominantly aimed at the later end of the workforce pipe- line; students who are finishing school and
looking for their relevant qualification in ei- ther the VET or university space. It also has a workforce register that industry can access when looking for suitably skilled people.
He said there would be challenges ahead that will need to be met and overcome.
“It’s always hard when you are doing something new. This is a new endeavour which has not been attempted before on this scale,’’ Irving said. “The industry will require a significant ramp-up of skills and overall numbers which will stretch industry to find these new workers. We’re getting out ahead of that need, reaching into our schools and communities to identify and skill up the future workforce, and this is going on in a growing economy and a highly competitive
labour market for these skilled workers.’’ However, with challenges come op-
portunities.
“I would like to see the image that
people have of naval shipbuilding better reflect the reality of today’s ultra-modern digital shipyards. This enterprise will be using the world’s most advanced technolo- gies in a range of areas from sophisticated digital fabrication to artificial intelligence combat systems on our future boats and ships,” he said.
There is much to be done in the shipbuild- ing space over the coming two decades. If the work is to be achieved on time and on budget, the foundation being laid now will be key to its success.
48 | August 2019 | www.australiandefence.com.au
RDA HUNTER