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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-10-31 Daily Xml
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MECHEXPO

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (15:04): My question is to the Minister for Science and Information Economy. Can the minister inform the house about opportunities for young engineering students to showcase their talent?

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Recreation and Sport) (15:04): I was pleased to attend the recent launch of MechExpo on Wednesday 24 October that was held at the Wayville showgrounds. For members who may not be aware, MechExpo is an annual showcase for the diversity and breadth of talent of engineering students from the University of Adelaide.

MechExpo provides a great opportunity for more than 60 engineering honours students from the University of Adelaide School of Mechanical Engineering to exhibit the results of their honours project. The honours projects undertaken include those in the disciplines of mechanical, aerospace and automotive engineering, as well as emerging fields, including mechatronic, sustainable energy and sports engineering.

Importantly, these projects provide a valuable link between students and industry. Students have worked with industry partners on the development of these projects. As a result, the skills developed by these students will place them in good stead for the future and will provide future innovation to industry when they move into the workforce.

As members should be aware, there is a significant shortage of engineers across a number of specific engineering disciplines in our state, and also nationwide. Having highly skilled work-ready engineers is critical for the future of our state. Engineers have skills across a range of key industry sectors of the economy, including mining, defence and advanced manufacturing. These and many other industries are dependent on engineering innovation in our state. In turn, this innovation helps creates investment, jobs and economic development. I congratulate the University of Adelaide for another successful MechExpo. I am sure that next year's MechExpo will be bigger and better than ever.

The state's economic prosperity relies on the development of a range of innovative professions in science technology, engineering and mathematics. The state government recognises the importance of skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (otherwise known as STEM skills) to our growing economy. Our state's future prosperity will rely on nurturing a culture of innovation, and this means investing in skills which lead to jobs in the STEM fields.

That is why the state government's Skills for All reform of vocational education and training is providing a range of STEM courses without any course fees. These courses, from certificate I to advanced diploma levels, will develop skills that are related to the mining, defence and manufacturing sectors. These courses, without any course fees to be paid by students, include the certificate II in drilling operations, certificate III in telecommunications and a diploma of electrical engineering.

The state government's vision is one where our next generation is highly skilled and embraces technology, and where our businesses prosper and grow in a globally competitive environment through innovation and an increase in productivity. The MechExpo is a great example of industry and training institutions working together to foster the talent of South Australia's young engineers, and I commend them on their efforts.

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