Additional University Places Added in Newcastle to Grow AUKUS Workforce

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

Additional places in STEM courses will be open at the University of Newcastle next year, in a bid to help grow the skilled workforce required to deliver AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.

The Albanese Government is investing $128 million to fund an additional 4,001 university places across Australia. In Newcastle, 140 places have been allocated.

These additional places will apply to 38 STEM-related courses, designed to attract more students to train in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Federal Member for Patterson Meryl Swanson said she's celebrating the move.

"I'm delighted to say that the Albanese Labor Government has funded 140 additional places at the University of Newcastle over the next four years for STEM related subjects such as mechanical engineering and chemical engineering," says MP Swanson.

Ms. Swanson says it is important to increase training in STEM-related fields, as careers in these industries in Newcastle are in high demand.

"It's incredibly important that we do grow the workforce that is needed for the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines. In addition to that, it's also important that we constantly work with our businesses in the local area.

"The reason it's so important that we increase people taking up STEM courses is because that's where the jobs of the future in our region are going to lie. As a government we've recognised that, and that's why we've supported and funded these 140 places at Newcastle University over the next four years,," she said. 

Eligible students are able to apply and commence studies for STEM courses from the beginning of 2024.

Labor Pledges More Funding for UoN

BY CATHERINE ALLEN

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon joined staff and students from the University of Newcastle to announce the Labor party's plans to invest $750,000 into student enabling programs both locally and nationally.

"The University of Newcastle is a national leader in enabling programs, having provided more than 60,000 students with an experience of university, resulting in many becoming the first in their family to go to university," said Ms Claydon.

The funding boost is earmarked for two programs designed to increase participation in higher education.

$500,000 of the funding will go towards the development of an online 'navigator resource' aimed at smoothing the prospective students' transition into university life.

"This four-week online navigator resource will be available nationally to give prospective students from a diverse range of backgrounds information about these alternative pathways to university,"

"It will allow people considering higher education to understand the pathways available in order to improve the access, retention and educational outcomes of diverse cohorts of people."

The remaining $250,000 is committed to supporting a pilot program offering students additional time with staff and support for regional students across the Hunter region.

"It can be hard for students in rural and regional communities to manage the challenges of study, work and family life when they live so far from campus," said Sharon Claydon.

"The funding will boost student outcomes by allowing them to engage face-to-face with university staff closer to home."

Dr. Anna Bennett, Luka Bungaree, MP Sharon Claydon, Katelin Smith, David Parsons. Image: Catherine Allen/2NURFM News