Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA), Regional Development Australia (RDA) Hunter and University of Newcastle have announced the winners of the inaugural Altitude Accord Scholarship, part of a partnership to help build a Hunter workforce for the region’s growing defence industry.
Three teams comprising Christopher Neal, Matthew Wheeler, Gerard Lazarus, Ian Whittall, Ashleigh Rattray, Tahlia West, Jennifer Johnston, Stephanie McManus, Jack Sulis, Toby Barry, Joshua Price and David Seddon were deemed winners of the 2019 Scholarship following the Glider Competition demonstration at the University of Newcastle’s Great Hall. The competition, that saw 15 teams of 3-4 students design, construct, test and fly gliders, was the culmination of the first semester project of the University of Newcastle’s inaugural Aerospace Systems Engineering Degree course.
The 70-strong cohort competed for the coveted Scholarship Tour prize that entitles each of the three winning groups to join a four-day visit to LMA sites in Victoria and the ACT this July. In support of the Altitude Accord’s aims, LMA and University of Newcastle each contributed $10,000 and RDA Hunter in-kind facilitation to offer the scholarship prize. Students won exclusive access to the LMA’s facilities in Melbourne and its Endeavour Centre in Canberra as well as site/museum visits and attendance at ADM’s Women in Defence Awards Gala.
“Through this partnership, we will share our knowledge and expertise with Hunter students, connecting them with the region’s wider defence industry, education and government organisations to help build the workforce it needs, while providing Hunter students with pathways to long-term career opportunities in the region,” Scott Thompson, interim head of Lockheed Martin Australia and NZ, said.
“We are very pleased to facilitate the partnership between Lockheed Martin Australia and the University of Newcastle,” RDA Hunter’s Executive Officer and Director of Regional Development Trevor John said. “The Altitude Accord is a valuable component in our suite of workforce development initiatives.
“New industry-led, team-based activities such as the Glider Competition and Scholarship Tour offer students unique opportunities to engage with industry and better understand pathways to legitimate long-term career opportunities here in the Hunter region.”