A new place-based pilot program focused on engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in engineering for Country has kicked off in Queensland.  

In partnership with the Engineers Australia’s Indigenous Engineers Group (IEG) and Engineers Without Borders, the first Indigenous-led outreach program was delivered in Coen, a small community situated in central Cape York in Far North Queensland, with Yintjingga Aboriginal Corporation. 

The aim of the workshop is to trial a new Indigenous-led program designed to engage Indigenous youth in engineering STEM pathways and to expand the initiative nationally.

Justine Romanis, National Manager Professional Diversity and STEM is developing an Indigenous engineers strategy and a Reconciliation Action Plan, in consultation with the IEG. 

Justine Romanis says “the Indigenous population represents 3.2 per cent of the overall population in Australia, yet only 0.27 per cent of university qualified engineers. This program is important to close that gap so our future engineering teams better represent those communities they serve in their entirety.” 

During the workshop, the group explored what it means to ‘engineer for and on Country’ and how to use technology to achieve local goals, ideas and challenges of Lama Lama and surrounding Country. Students also heard stories from deadly Indigenous engineers about their jobs and how they became an engineer.  

Grant Maher FIEAust CPEng NER, Indigenous Engineering Group lead facilitated the pilot program along with three other First Nations leaders. Just last week Grant won the University of Melbourne’s Kernot Medal award for his work in the engineering project arena. This recognition also includes his social and community development work creating opportunities and educational programs in regional and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

The pilot programs will be delivered over the next few months, with review, iteration and planning to follow, which will inform the next phase. 

The team are currently planning the second pilot. 

Photo: (from left to right) Program facilitators Isaac Barton, Sativa O'Connor, Grant Maher, Josh MacLeod. Supplied.