Caringbah High School has launched an innovative partnership program connecting students with local technology businesses, providing hands-on experience and mentorship in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

The STEM Industry Connect program pairs Year 10 and 11 students with professionals from over 15 participating businesses across the Sutherland Shire and St George regions.

“We can teach theory in the classroom, but there’s no substitute for seeing how it applies in real workplaces,” said Principal David Murray. “These partnerships show students where their education can take them.”

How the Program Works

Students apply to join the program at the start of Year 10. Successful applicants are matched with businesses based on their interests:

• Software development and web design firms
• Engineering consultancies
• Medical technology companies
• Environmental science organisations
• Architecture and construction firms

Partnerships include monthly site visits, project-based learning aligned with the school curriculum, and mentoring from industry professionals.

Participating students also complete a capstone project in Year 11, working in teams to solve a real problem posed by one of the partner businesses.

Business Perspectives

For participating businesses, the program offers access to enthusiastic young minds while helping develop the future workforce.

“We’re always looking for talented people, and they’re increasingly hard to find,” said Jennifer Ko, director of a Miranda-based software company. “This program lets us identify promising students early and show them what a career in tech actually looks like.”

Ko’s company hosted three students last term, having them observe client meetings, participate in code reviews, and contribute to a minor feature in a live project.

“One student found a bug our team had missed,” she laughed. “Fresh eyes can be valuable.”

Student Impact

Early participants report the program has significantly influenced their career thinking.

“I always liked maths but didn’t know what jobs actually used it,” said Year 11 student Marcus Chen. “Spending time at an engineering firm showed me exactly how calculus applies to bridge design. Now I know what I want to study at uni.”

Fellow student Sarah Williams initially doubted whether she belonged in STEM fields. “You don’t see many girls in tech workplaces. But the women I met through the program were so encouraging. They made me feel like I could actually do this.”

Expansion Plans

Following successful pilots, the school is seeking additional business partners for the 2026 intake. Participation requires a commitment of approximately 20 hours per year, including hosting visits, participating in mentoring sessions, and providing input on capstone projects.

“We’re not asking businesses to do our job for us,” Murray clarified. “We’re asking them to show students why what they’re learning matters. That perspective is invaluable.”

Businesses interested in participating can contact Caringbah High School’s careers office. The application deadline for 2026 partnerships is September 30.

The program’s first cohort will complete their capstone projects in November, with a showcase evening planned where students present their work to families and industry partners.