DeadlyScience & Kinetic IT partner to support STEM education

Through a partnership between DeadlyScience and Kinetic IT, First Nations students will have new opportunities to engage in technology education.

Australia faces a significant skills shortage in its IT sector. There is an estimated need for an additional 7,000 skilled cybersecurity specialists over the next two years and a projected shortfall of 16,600 by 2026. Despite this demand, First Nations people constitute a negligible percentage of the tech industry workforce.

Emerging technologies like generative AI and quantum computing necessitate a diverse workforce that reflects the varied communities these technologies serve. DeadlyScience aims to address this disparity by offering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) resources and learning experiences to schools in regional and remote areas. The organisation aims to increase the percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with university STEM qualifications, currently at just 0.5%.

DeadlyScience Founder and Director, Professor Corey Tutt, said, "That's a massive discrepancy. And the percentage is much lower than 0.5% for people living in regional and remote communities." As a Kamilaroi man from Nowra, Prof. Tutt experienced a lack of encouragement for First Nations people in STEM fields during his youth, prompting him to establish DeadlyScience in 2018.

Prof. Tutt highlighted the importance of their collaboration with Kinetic IT in supporting programmes essential for First Nations students. "This partnership with Kinetic IT helps support the vital programs that DeadlyScience delivers in communities across Australia. We know how vital it is to provide culturally aware STEM education and resources to rural and remote classrooms in order to provide opportunities for the next generation of First Nations youth in STEM," he stated.

Kinetic IT, now a corporate partner with DeadlyScience, is dedicated to creating technology-focused opportunities for students. Leighton Freene, Kinetic IT Group Executive – Federal Defence and Emergency Services, acknowledged the importance of this partnership in promoting equity and opportunity within the STEM sector. "Kinetic IT strongly believes in the outstanding amplification of success that diversity, equity and inclusion make to the business, and we are resolute in our commitment to making a positive impact in the communities we serve," Freene said.

Freene expressed excitement about working with Prof. Tutt and his team at DeadlyScience, adding, "We're really excited to work with Corey and the team at DeadlyScience, to add further momentum to their work in regional and remote Australia - work which is truly moving the needle on unlocking equity for First Nations youth."

He also remarked, "Parents just want their kids to have access to a great education system in order to give them every advantage for a great life, but due to barriers beyond their control extra support is critical to give children equitable opportunity."

The partnership's primary aim is to inspire and empower First Nations students to consider careers in technology by providing targeted resources and support. By focusing on the technological aspects of STEM, the initiative seeks to bridge the digital divide and contribute to a more inclusive future.

Freene reiterated this commitment: "Technology is a fantastic industry to work in with opportunities to innovate to enhance our ways of life and give back through meaningful work. Whether it's coding, engineering, or helping out on the service desk, we're committed to creating pathways to bring more Australians into the industry."

Recalling their introduction, Freene mentioned, "We first met Corey when he was a keynote speaker at the launch of Deadly Mob @KIT – our company's employee network for First Nations crew and allies. We're thrilled to now be officially working with him and the team at DeadlyScience through a formalised partnership."