The WA Government has taken a critical step in preparing Western Australians for the jobs of the future with the launch of the State’s first-ever science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills strategy.
‘Future Jobs, Future Skills: Driving STEM skills in Western Australia’ has been welcomed across a variety of education, industry and technology sectors as a way to enhance the skills of future employees and keep jobs in WA.
The strategy, which was an election commitment for the WA Government, was developed by a panel made up of industry experts, researchers and educators, and chaired by WA’s Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Klinken.
A core objective of the strategy is addressing the current lack of diversity in STEM education and STEM related careers. Women represent just 16 per cent of STEM qualified people in Australia and Aboriginal people represent less than one per cent of higher education engineering and science students.
The WA Government has already committed more than $3.3 million to kick-start the delivery of this strategy. This funding includes a four-year professional learning program for more than 1,000 teachers in lower socioeconomic public schools which is already underway.
Other projects to drive this strategy include mentoring programs, digital and technology programs and the development of a STEM communication campaign.
To continue to drive the implementation of this strategy, the WA Government will be working with industry to develop new programs that will not only see our young people trained, but our existing workers reskilled.
Source: WA Government