As we near the end of 2024, it is satisfying to reflect on what we have achieved. This year, the ACS Foundation turned 23. Founded in August 2001, the ACS Foundation's primary mission has been to help Australia's ICT students transition from their tertiary studies into the technology workforce. Since its inception, the Foundation has supported over 8,500 students and currently aids hundreds of students each year. This represents about 10% of Australia's domestic ICT graduates. It's important to note that the ACS Foundation is distinct from the Australian Computer Society (ACS), though they share a strong collaborative relationship and work together on common interests.
The ACS Foundation primarily assists students by providing work placement opportunities, enabling them to gain valuable industry experience alongside their studies, thus making them more employable and work ready. Approximately 34% of these paid placement recipients are female students. The Women of STEM program received 221 applicants and awarded financial scholarships to 8 exceptional students.
The industry work placement program has a strong success rate, with nearly every participant securing ongoing employment. This proven pathway is key to the longevity and support that the program has achieved. As 2024 comes to a close, the ACS Foundation has received over 5,000 applications for work placements or Foundation Jobs and has been able to place over 150 students and graduates into paid positions in Australia's technology industry.
In 2012, the ACS Foundation initiated a new STEM Careers event at UTS in Sydney, known as the BiG Day In. Starting with an event for 220 students, mostly from universities about 80 from high schools, the program quickly expanded. In 2024, the ACS Foundation hosted 13 BiG Day In (BDI) events for high schools across Australia, including the Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Parramatta, Darwin, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, and Canberra. Three BDI Junior events for primary schools were hosted in Sydney and Melbourne. BDI events attracted over 6,500 students and their teachers, with each event reaching full capacity this year.
The ACS Foundation also supports other STEM education related initiatives including the F1 in Schools Program. This year, Team Australia secured third place on the podium in the finals in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Team Australia demonstrated outstanding achievements on the international stage.
With 29,000 schools from 60 countries participating, the Lunar team from Brighton Grammar in Melbourne solidified their reputation for innovation, dedication, and STEM excellence.
The ACS Foundation looks to continue our support of Australia's IT industry into its 24th year. If you would like to be a part of it, please contact us at info@acsfoundation.com.au
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