Thousands more students will have the opportunity to learn coding, robotics and automation after the Cook Government committed $170,000 to extend its support for the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA’s Digital Technologies (DigiTech) Program.
More than 15,000 students have participated in DigiTech since its launch in 2020, developing critical STEM skills that are increasingly sought after across both WA’s resources sector and the broader economy.
The Cook Government funding helps DigiTech employ specialist educators who train and support public school teachers to deliver the program, ensuring the capability and knowledge follows the teacher even if they move schools. More than 550 teachers have already been trained to deliver DigiTech lessons.
Education Minister Sabine Winton announced the commitment at the CME STEM Showcase at Newman Senior High School this week. Around 100 primary and secondary students from Newman came together to demonstrate the skills they had developed through the DigiTech program.
Students also heard directly from BHP employees about how technologies such as drones are used to monitor remote operations and how skills taught through DigiTech can lead to rewarding careers in resources and other industries.
“The Cook Labor Government is committed to ensuring all Western Australian students can access a high-quality education and develop the skills they need for the future, no matter where they live,” Ms Winton said.
“Having taught in Norseman, Fitzroy Crossing and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, I know how important it is that students have the resources and opportunities to reach their full potential.
“Programs like DigiTech give students in regional and remote communities access to engaging, hands-on learning in coding, robotics and automation, while building skills that are essential to WA’s economy.
“They also give teachers the training and ongoing support they need to confidently bring digital technologies into their classrooms.”
DigiTech is primarily funded by CME member companies, whose support helps cover teacher training and specialised classroom equipment. The program provides interactive, curriculum-aligned lessons for students from Pre-Primary to Year 10.
More than 100 regional schools – including many located in remote Aboriginal communities – have been supported to deliver the DigiTech program, enabling access to high-quality STEM learning across the length and breadth of WA.
All WA schools can access the program’s learning materials and online platform free of charge and nearly 300 have adopted Digitech to date. Of the 15,306 students who have participated since 2020, more than 9000 were in regional WA – including 3539 in the Pilbara.
CME Chief Executive Officer Aaron Morey said the DigiTech model had proved immensely popular with both teachers and their students and encouraged engagement with STEM subjects across every year group.
“DigiTech connects what students learn in the classroom with the technology transforming workplaces across Western Australia,” Mr Morey said.
“WA’s resources sector is already a global leader in automation, robotics and remote operations and its future success will depend on the skills and creativity of the next generation.
“This program gives young Western Australians practical experience with those technologies, wherever they live, while opening their eyes to careers they may never have considered.
“CME member companies are proud to support DigiTech, and we welcome the Cook Government’s commitment to helping more teachers and students take part.”
DigiTech receives financial support from BHP, Rio Tinto, Woodside Energy and CITIC Pacific Mining.
Media contacts:
Josh Zimmerman j.zimmerman@cmewa.com / 0404 947 719
Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com / 0435 383 382