Komatsu youth program showcases STEM skills for heavy industries

Komatsu Australia has launched a program which will help develop young talent and showcase the diverse range of opportunities available in the mining and construction sectors around the country.

The program targets school and university students and recent school leavers and will include initiatives like promoting STEM directly through schools, technical workshops and seminars tailored to students and educators, work experience and placements throughout Komatsu.

Komatsu Australia general manager for people experience Zara Carey says the program will help prepare the next generation of industry leaders with the skills they need for a future in heavy equipment or mining.

“Often people think the only jobs available in heavy industries are for mechanics or service technicians, but as our sector embraces more technology and innovative solutions, our workforce is shifting, too,” she said.

“We’re seeing a stronger focus on STEM opportunities and we want to demonstrate this variety of career options available to the youth of today.

“Komatsu is a unique workplace as we offer multiple pathways for employment.

“You might start in a hands-on role, but often can shift sideways or upwards to a more managerial or technical role, such as analytics engineering, data science or software development.

“This is what we want our youth program to promote, that there are different opportunities out there that school leavers might not know of and Komatsu could just be the place for you.”

To mark the launch of the program, Komatsu has partnered with educational organisation STEM Punks to deliver a workshop to teach students in years 7-9 about autonomous vehicles and the data and technology that drives them.

The students will get to learn about sensor systems, wireless communication, cloud data, Komatsu’s intelligent Machine Control (iMC) and how to code and apply these new skills to control a robot platform.