This year the Futures in Engineering program was extended to both Hobart and Launceston. This outreach program is directed at students in years 9 - ­11 to increase their awareness of potential careers in the profession and to equip them to make future subject choices.

“Engineers Australia’s ‘Engineering Makes Things Happen’ report and the Tasmania Division’s Workforce Development Plan both note that STEM education is a critical building block for entry into the engineering profession,’ Dr. Gardiner said.

“Unfortunately, we are seeing a decline in enrollment in these pre-tertiary subjects in years 11 and 12. The number of young women studying these subjects, in particular, is of great concern.

“This linked with the fact that students are often ill-informed about the study and career paths available into engineering is just one of the reasons the Tasmania Division sees the importance in running the Futures in Engineering program.”

This year over 60 students took part in the program, of which 30 per cent were young women.  Participant surveys indicated that the program was successful in motivating students to study engineering, including those who originally did not necessarily have an interest in an engineering career.

“One of the Division’s Tasmanian Engineering Workforce Development Plan recommendations was to support and promote initiatives to enhance career pathways and improve gender diversity in the industry.  We continue to do this by working with our partners to continue improving the program especially in order to attract greater female participation” Dr. Gardiner said.

One aspect of the program that students appreciated was access to volunteers and the Defence Force Recruiting practicing engineers. Students said that this was an excellent way to fully understand what it was like to work in the profession.

The Futures in Engineering program was developed by Engineers Australia in partnership with Defence Force Recruiting, the University of Tasmania (including Australian Maritime College) and MyEducation (Department of Education).

It is anticipated that the 2018 program will be extended to the North West region of Tasmania.  If your company is interested in being involved in the program, please contact the Tasmanian office via email.

Dr. Vicki Gardiner is the Tasmanian Division Manager looking after the strategic goals of Engineers Australia in Tasmania.