RDA Hunter has opened expressions of interest for its 2018 STEMship Program.

Open to students who have completed Year 10 and are willing to be complete a 17 week period to pursue a hands-on and practical career in Hunter industry, STEMship is Australia’s first VET preemployment program focusing on the development of STEM skills at a technical level. The program was developed by RDA Hunter and the NSW Department of Industry (Training Services NSW), and is delivered by Hunter TAFE (now TAFE NSW - Newcastle) to contribute to a highly-skilled job-ready talent pool.

 

This year the program includes:

•TAFE NSW will complete an innovative, multi-disciplinary skillsset which will include the design and manufacture of a product utilizing advanced technologies

•A full qualification in Certificate III Engineering—Technical (MEM30505)

•17 weeks completing a combination of training and work placement (25 hours per week)

•An opportunity to gain work placement in some of the Hunter Region’s most innovative organisations

•Industry site tours to promote awareness of employment pathways

 

Used as a regional case study by the OECD, the program is industry-led, which provides a VET pathway for students to move into employment, highly technical apprenticeships and traineeships, higher level Certificate IV, diploma qualifications, or university once they complete the Program. The Program was designed to bridge the gap between secondary and university STEM programs and align with industry policy at both State and Federal levels.