Objectives and Outcomes

Objectives

The IAES Program gives Indigenous students entering Years 10, 11 or 12 the opportunity to learn more about the Engineering profession and the career opportunities it offers.

During the week-long School the students:

Engage in hands-on Engineering activities
Meet young Engineers from EAA's Sponsoring companies
Meet University Engineering academic and Faculty staff who offer advice on how to enrol in University courses and scholarships available to assist them
Visit engineering sites to see first-hand engineering projects in various engineering disciplines

Visit engineering sites to see first-hand engineering projects in various engineering disciplines
Live on-campus for a week with other like-minded Indigenous students from all over Australia
Engage in cultural activities to increase their awareness of Indigenous culture and confidence in cultural identity
Grow in self-confidence and return home with heightened career aspirations

Research has shown that Indigenous communities are still under represented in the Engineering profession, but there is clear evidence that the EAA’s IAES Program is making a difference.

Although we see doors opening in the industry for Indigenous Graduate Engineers, we believe that it is essential that EAA continues to provide the necessary pathways for young Indigenous people to achieve their potential.

Greg Steele

Chairman EAA

Outcomes

Since its inception in 1996, approximately 800 have attended an IAES, of whom more than 95% have continued on to and completed Year 12 with the help of EAA’s Continuing School Scholarships. On average, 25% of the students who attend an IAES go on to study Engineering or a related course at University.

This pipeline of students has substantially increased the total number of Indigenous Engineers in Australia.

A strong culture of mentoring and ‘returning to give back’ has developed over the IAES Program with former IAES students who are or were Engineering undergraduates or graduates returning to participate in an IAES as Houseparent mentors and also to become Engineering Aid Australia Ambassadors.