Andrew Leigh

LABOR’S PLAN FOR STEM IN CANBERRA SCHOOLS

Joint Release with Amanda Rishworth

Shadow Assistant Minister for Education and Higher Education Amanda Rishworth and Member for Fraser Andrew Leigh have today visited Harrison School to discuss Labor's positive plan for science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).

They met with students working in Harrison School’s robotics lab and joined with science students to talk about building better career paths to the jobs of the future.

STEM disciplines will be central to the jobs of the changing economy and Canberra kids with these skills will be well positioned to succeed in the future.

That is why a Shorten Labor Government will do more to support local teachers to ensure that they can deliver STEM to students in a way that engages and inspires them. This includes funding 25,000 primary and secondary teachers over five years to undertake professional development in STEM disciplines, including coding.

Labor will also provide 25,000 teaching scholarships over five years to new and recent STEM graduates to encourage them to continue their study and become STEM teachers.

Teach STEM will provide an incentive payment to attract more STEM graduates to become teachers. Students that have just completed a STEM degree, or are within five years of graduation, will be able to apply for a $15,000 incentive payment.

$5,000 will be paid upon commencement of the course of study, with the rest paid after their first year in the classroom.

Shadow Assistant Minister for Education and Higher Education Amanda Rishworth said Labor’s positive plan for STEM will help young Canberrans prepare to create and fill the jobs of the future.

“Labor has a positive plan that is all about giving young people the very best opportunity to prepare and succeed in the jobs and industries that are yet to be created.

“Labor’s plan will see a renewed focus on encouraging young Canberrans, particularly women, to undertake a STEM qualification to help meet the innovative and intellectual need Australia will require in the future.”

Member for Fraser Andrew Leigh said: “Canberra has a proud history as a hub of science and innovation – from our universities to the CSIRO.

“Ensuring the next generation of Canberra kids get the education and skills they need to continue that tradition will always be a priority for Labor, and particularly under the next Shorten Government.”

FRIDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2015

MEDIA CONTACTS: JENNIFER RAYNER 0428 214 856