Western Australia’s leading resources companies have committed $815,000 to support the continued rollout of an innovative digital education initiative in schools across the state.
BHP, Rio Tinto and CITIC Pacific Mining are among the companies to have joined forces to fund the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA’s (CME) Digital Technologies Program, known as DigiTech.
The program, designed to enhance STEM education, has already transformed learning for thousands of students since it launched five years ago at a handful of Pilbara schools.
DigiTech has rapidly expanded to reach over 6000 students from pre-primary through Year 10 across 165 schools throughout Western Australia.
The latest funding will provide new classroom-ready tech equipment for 160 additional schools, including all schools in the Pilbara. It will also increase access to teacher coaching and mentoring services, a critical resource particularly in regional and remote areas where staff turnover is high.
“The mining industry has amazing job opportunities for all Australians,” Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive and CME president, Simon Trott said. “From the Great Southern to the Pilbara, CME’s DigiTech program is equipping students with the essential skills needed for the future – not just for mining and energy jobs, but roles across all industries.
“Rio Tinto looks forward to continuing to support the innovators and problem-solvers of the next generation of workers through this program.”
BHP manager community WA Rachel Donkin also echoed Trott’s sentiments.
“The DigiTech school-based program was aligned with BHP’s broader community contribution focus of strengthening outcomes in the Pilbara – both in education and beyond,” she said.
“In an evolving digital world, confidence with these technologies can unlock opportunities for employment, training and further education.”
