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Australian Energy Producers Journal Australian Energy Producers Journal Society
Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

The importance of STEM

Jillian Formentin A *
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A Clough Projects Pty Ltd, Perth, WA, Australia.


The APPEA Journal 63(2) S64-S67 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22174
Submitted: NaN NaN  Accepted: 2 March 2023  Published: 11 May 2023

© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.

Abstract

Engineering is the foundation of the infrastructure, resources, products, systems and services that serve our community. As technology advances there is high demand for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to keep up with the requirements of every industry. However, the statistics and research imply that supply will not meet demand in the very near future, and, in Australia less than 15% of STEM graduates are female. Taking into consideration the industry in which we operate and Clough’s strategic priorities and ESG (environmental, social and governance) framework, we recognised the need to support STEM and to spark curiosity in these subjects during high school years when students are making the key decision about what profession they will pursue. Clough also recognised that it required collaboration between schools, universities and industry. In 2021, Clough developed a program that included: a pipeline of touch points to ensure STEM careers and industry opportunities were presented as early as Year 7; a partnership with a local university to work with girls in Year 11, targeting senior secondary students studying prerequisite mathematics to offer them exposure to engineering activities, role models and career opportunities; a partnership with Engineers Australia; Open Days at our offices for school students in Years 10–12 to provide them with an opportunity to experience engineering as a career; a revamp of Clough’s Scholarship program to support students during their first years of university; and an internship program for STEM-related functions from the first year of university.

Keywords: careers, collaboration, community, construction, development, engineering, future, gender, industry, infrastructure, intern, mathematics, mentor, Open Day, opportunities, partnership, role model, scholarship, school, science, STEM, strategic, sustainable, technology, university.

References

Professionals Australia (2021) ‘Women Staying in the STEM Workforce.’ (Professionals Australia: Melbourne)

Romanis J (2022) ‘Women in Engineering.’ (Engineers Australia: ACT)