Sydney’s new airport offers students careers in STEM

Credit: Western Sydney Airport (SWZ)

Western Sydney Airport (SWZ) students are being inspired to take up exciting careers in STEM and work at Sydney’s new airport in the future thanks to a new partnership between Western Sydney Airport and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.

Western Sydney has teamed up with CSIRO’s STEM Community Partnerships Programme (STEM CPP), as part of the Generation STEM initiative, inviting high school students to visit the airport construction site and hear from the experts bringing Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport to life.

Western Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer, Simon Hickey, said the airport will be the catalyst for the creation of tens of thousands of high-quality jobs and opportunities across the region, in areas such as education, manufacturing, engineering, and defence.

Once operational, at least half of all jobs at the airport will go to Western Sydney locals.

“We want to inspire and empower the next generation of creative young minds to take up a career in STEM and perhaps work at Western Sydney International in the future,” added Hickey.

“Whether it be protecting critical infrastructure through a career in cyber security, or building tomorrow’s technology as a robotics technician, the possibilities are endless.

“Most importantly, we want to show our young people that these exciting career opportunities will be right on their doorstep in Western Sydney by the time they are out of university.”

The programme kicked off in September 2021 with a virtual presentation to year nine and ten students from schools across Western Sydney including: Cabramatta High School, Hoxton Park High School, Liverpool Boys High School, Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton, and St Marks Catholic College.

The students heard from WSA engineers, who shared insights into their own STEM career journeys, including the trials and tribulations that can be experienced along the way. They also heard about the pathways available to reach STEM career opportunities the airport will create when it opens in late 2026.

Susan Burchill, CSIRO Director of Education and Outreach said the programme was designed to inspire local students into STEM pathways and showcase exciting career opportunities.

“As Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We want to ensure that this continues by supporting the next generation of Australian scientists,” commented Burchill.

“Local students are perfectly positioned to take advantage of new job opportunities and career pathways opening up around Western Sydney International and be the next generation of leading innovators. Through this partnership, we are encouraging them to pursue their passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“The virtual information session was a fantastic opportunity for local students to learn about new job opportunities and career pathways opening up in the region.”