First Shoalhaven STEMship Program Launches in Nowra

Representatives from Regional Development Australia – Far South Coast (RDA FSC), the Shoalhaven Defence Industry Group (SDIG) and the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet gathered at the offices of RDA FSC yesterday to launch the 2019 Shoalhaven STEMship Program.

Developed by RDA Hunter, STEMship is an innovative vocational education and training (VET) pre-employment program open to young people who have completed Year 10. Designed to bridge the gap between secondary school and university STEM programs, STEMship is industry-led and helps guide students into technical apprenticeships and traineeships and/or continue on with VET courses. STEMship is supported by the NSW Department of Industry via Training Services NSW and Defence NSW.

The 17-week program involves a combination of technical training and work placement (25 hours per week), industry site visits to promote awareness of employment pathways and completion of a nationally accredited skill-set. Students are also exposed to opportunities to gain work placement with the Shoalhaven region’s innovative organisations.

To date, outcomes for the STEMship program in the Hunter region have been positive with the majority of students gaining employment at the completion of the course. RDA FSC and its STEMship partners hope to replicate the same level of success with this STEM initiative in the Shoalhaven.

Key dates, including the opening of expressions of interest, will be announced shortly.

RDA Far South Coast Inc. announces the launch of the STEMship Program.

L to R: Ryan Brown, Kratos Defense; Dave Hager, GHD; Donna Payne, DPC; David Goodman SBC; Josh Rogers BAE; Paul Goodwin, RDAFSC; Rob McNeil BAE; Troy Creighton, Stormtech; Marianne Jones, SCC