Defence launches new focus on STEM

Defence has released its Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Workforce Strategic Vision 2019-2030 in Canberra as part of its celebrations marking National Science Week.

FILE PHOTO: Quantum computing research at the University of Adelaide. 

Chief Defence Scientist Tanya Monro said the Department of Defence would collaborate with industry and academia to build the high-tech workforce required to meet Australia’s future Defence and national-security needs.

“These are the careers of the future and competition for people with these qualifications is fierce,” Professor Monro said.

“t is estimated that 75 per cent of the fastest growing occupations in the world today require people with STEM skills

“In Australia there is a growing requirement for a workforce with the necessary skills to drive innovation and ensure we remain competitive in a tough global economy.

“Defence aims to shape the national agenda in science, technology, engineering and maths studies and inspire future generations of Australians to pursue careers within Defence.

“If Defence is to develop a high-tech force, it needs a larger and more specialised STEM workforce of both uniformed and civilian personnel.

“It also needs a continuous and reliable pipeline of graduates with science, technology, engineering and maths backgrounds to attract and retain the best and the brightest in their fields.”

This year, Defence is expanding its STEM cadetship program from 50 interns to 200 cadets.

This will create new opportunities for students to start developing their career at Defence while undertaking their studies.

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