Sydney’s new airport inspiring young minds to pursue a career in STEM

Image of Western Sydney Airport and CSIRO Generation STEM staff presenting to Western Sydney high school students.

Western Sydney students are being inspired to take up exciting careers in STEM and work at Sydney’s new airport in the future thanks to a new partnership between Western Sydney Airport and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.

Western Sydney Airport (WSA) has teamed up with CSIRO’s STEM Community Partnerships Program (STEM CPP), as part of the Generation STEM initiative, inviting high school students to visit the airport construction site and hear from the experts bringing Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport to life.

Western Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer Simon Hickey said the airport would be the catalyst for the creation of tens of thousands of high-quality jobs and opportunities across the region, in areas such as education, manufacturing, engineering and defence.

Once operational, at least half of all jobs at the airport will go to Western Sydney locals.

“We want to inspire and empower the next generation of creative young minds to take up a career in STEM and perhaps work at Western Sydney International in the future,” Mr Hickey said.

“Whether it be protecting critical infrastructure through a career in cyber security, or building tomorrow’s technology as a robotics technician, the possibilities are endless.

“Most importantly, we want to show our young people that these exciting career opportunities will be right on their doorstep in Western Sydney by the time they are out of university.”

The program kicked off in September with a virtual presentation to Year 9 and 10 students from schools across Western Sydney including Cabramatta High School, Hoxton Park High School, Liverpool Boys High School, Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton and St Marks Catholic College.

The students heard from WSA engineers who shared insights into their own STEM career journeys, including the trials and tribulations that can be experienced along the way. They also heard about the pathways available to reach STEM career opportunities the airport will create when it opens in late 2026.

CSIRO Director of Education and Outreach Susan Burchill said the program was designed to inspire local students into STEM pathways and showcase exciting career opportunities.

“As Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We want to ensure that this continues by supporting the next generation of Australian scientists,” she said.

“Local students are perfectly positioned to take advantage of new job opportunities and career pathways opening up around Western Sydney International and be the next generation of leading innovators. Through this partnership, we are encouraging them to pursue their passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“The virtual information session was a fantastic opportunity for local students to learn about new job opportunities and career pathways opening up in the region.”

CSIRO’s STEM CPP is an education program designed to empower Year 9 and 10 students with relevant STEM skills. The program is tailored to support the skills demands of current and emerging local industry, connecting teachers and students with STEM businesses, showcasing the relevance of STEM in everyday life and increasing student engagement in related subjects. Students benefit from exposure to real-world applications of STEM and heightened awareness of local STEM career pathways.

For information visit: https://www.csiro.au/en/education/programs/generation-stem/about-stemcpp