It's been a busy start to 2022 with in-school immersions and the Autumn School attended by 610 school students from 43 schools across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

We are one month into ‘Careers Expo Season’ with close to 1000 students showing interest in, and a determination to study, engineering. We’ve also held multiple school engagement days, with students from years 7-12, where younger students are introduced to engineering through teamwork and older students can ask engineers what it is like to work in the profession.

In May, Engineers Australia’s Chief Engineer Jane MacMaster spoke with more than 400 ACT and NSW career advisors about the increasing demand for engineers and the amazing opportunities for students.  

When asked which students have a strong chance of being great engineers Jane said, “creative and curious students who like to understand how things work and ask ‘why?’ will make great engineers, and so will values and outcomes–driven students who want to make the world a better place.”

Our work with schools

Engineers Australia attends expos to talk about the range of degrees and pathways into the profession. We also highlight the amazing opportunities for students studying engineering and answer questions like ‘what is the future of engineering?’.

In 2022, we have a wide range of opportunities for our members to get involved in our student engagement programs:

1. Winter Engineering School program for Year 11 and 12 students takes place 4-8 July. Registration is already fully subscribed. We’re looking for members to participate in the 'Engineers, Careers and Pizza' event on Thursday 7 July to answer students’ questions about working as an engineer.
2. Quick Chats – 7 University Students, 7 Engineers, 7 Minutes our new online Q&A platform launches this year. It will run from July until November, starting Tuesday 26 July. This initiative involves live video chats with alternating groups of school students who will have seven minutes to learn about what it is like to study a certain engineering discipline. Quick Chats will target students in Years 9-12 and provide information to support key decisions, from Year 11 subject selection to which degree and university to attend. Any members interested in volunteering for these sessions, email Caryn Morgan.
3. Discover Engineering Sydney for Years 7-10 on 9 August will be attended by more than 210 students. We are looking for engineers to visit participating schools and assist teachers and students with set tasks. Please email Caryn Morgan to volunteer.
4. Discover Engineering online session will take place in Newcastle on Thursday 23 June. It features a panel of engineers answering questions from a student audience.

For more information on any of our student engagement programs view Inspiring our Future Engineers pack (PDF) or contact:  

• Caryn Morgan, Sydney
• Vincent Guo, Newcastle
• Kiah Sheridan, Canberra

Our supporters

All of these activities would not be possible without the support of the Office of NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, WestConnex l Transurban, and Cynloch Family Trust who provide financial support.

Facilitators of online and face to face sessions University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, University of Technology Sydney, Western Sydney University, University of Wollongong, Macquarie University, Royal Aeronautical Engineers Society, IEEE and Engineers Without Borders, RAAF Richmond, and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology.

And those who provide time for their engineers to volunteer: Acciona, AECOM, Aurecon, CIMIC, CPB, Cochlear, John Holland, Northrop, RAAF Base Richmond, Resmed, SDA Structures, Sydney Quantum Academy, Sydney Water, TfNSW, UGL, WestConnex, and WSP.