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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-12-01 Daily Xml
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Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:25): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Science and Information Economy a question about STEM.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: Linking students with industry is vital to ensuring students enter the workforce with the skills and capabilities to succeed in a changing industrial climate. Can the minister inform the chamber of an initiative that will help link students with industry?

The PRESIDENT: Minister.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:25): I thank you, Mr President, and the honourable member for his most important question. Science, research and innovation are the heart of South Australia's capacity to develop a strong economy that brings lasting benefits to our community, and STEM skills are a key cornerstone to innovation. The government is implementing several very significant policy reforms and program initiatives to encourage the take-up of STEM-related careers and to equip our future workforce with the skills to drive innovation.

One such initiative is the Defence and STEM scholarships and internship programs. These programs comprise three main streams. The Defence Honours Scholarship Program is aimed at attracting high-achieving students to a career in the defence industry by supporting them to undertake their honours project, working directly with employers in the defence and defence-related sector. In 2015, eight students were awarded scholarships to a total value of $80,000. The second round for 2016 is currently open to applications from students and will close on 30 November 2015.

The Edith Dornwell scholarships are the second stream for this, valued at $20,000 per annum for three years to a women-specific scholarship in STEM that will be overseen by the Office for Women and aims to help retain women in STEM careers by providing a graduating or recently-graduated woman with three months' full-time or six months' part-time fully-paid employment with an organisation whose focus is in STEM.

The Defence and STEM Internship Program is designed to enable students to gain valuable industry experience through structured work placements with local technology-based companies. Round two of the program has resulted in nine South Australian university students recently securing internships with local companies to get a head start in their careers in the defence, science and technology sectors, at a value of $135,000.

The interns will be hosted by a range of companies, including Australian Welding Solutions, Frazer-Nash Consultancy, Babcock Pty Ltd, Simulation Australasia, bzbay Pty Ltd and the Defence Teaming Centre Aerospace Alliance. Whilst completing their internships, students will be working on projects ranging from information technology and software design to projects involving mechanical, maritime and aerospace engineering.

I am very pleased to advise the chamber that the recent round of the Defence STEM Internship Program has attracted more female applicants, with two of the successful candidates being women. I would certainly like to congratulate all the successful recipients of the Defence and STEM Internship Program, and I wish them every success in their placement and their future careers.

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