Around 360 students from 16 Hunter high schools, including Tomaree, Hunter River and St Philip’s Christian College, toured one of BAE’s Williamtown hangars to see firsthand how studying subjects such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) can lead to careers in the aerospace industry.

“BAE Systems needs about 200 additional staff in the next five years just within this region,” Andrew Chapman, head of aerospace engineering at BAE Systems Williamtown, said.

“Giving these kids who are in year 10 and are starting to make decisions about their futures a chance to walk through here today… this is the place where they will start. It makes it real for them.

“Today is about lighting a spark in them and to encourage them to chase their dreams.”

From BAE Systems students visited Fighter World at Williamtown and Hunter River High School, NSW’s first aerospace school, at Raymond Terrace to take part in an aeronautical challenge.

The day’s activities, designed not only to encourage students towards careers in the industry but to address Australia’s shortage of scientists and engineers, were held as part of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Hunter’s ME Program.

“Hunter schools used to be well below the average for STEM participation in the HSC,” RDA Hunter chief executive Todd Williams said.

“But now because of the ME Program, which we’ve been running since 2010, we’re well above the average.

“We have 42 schools and 32 industries involved in the program and now we’re able to do things like the careers day at BAE.

“This is exciting for everyone, especially for the industry who needs a workforce and for the students and teachers who can contextualise what they’ve been studying.”