Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
About
The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business (Employment) was consolidated with the
Department of Education, to form the new Department of Education, Skills and Employment.
Small business functions from Employment transferred to the new Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. The Department aims to drive growth and job
creation for a more prosperous Australia, by facilitating economic
transformation
competitiveness.
and
boosting
business
What kind of work? The Department:
- Boosts Australia’s competitiveness and economic
transformation by backing business, science, innovation and investment
- Delivers policies and programs to reduce emissions, increase renewable energy uptake and help Australia adapt to climate change
- Relies on building strong relationships between businesses, entrepreneurs, employees, the science
community, government, regulators and international partners
The Department oversees a number of services and
portfolios, including: Australian Renewable Energy Agency; Australian Building Codes Board; business. gov.au; COAG Energy Council; Chief Scientist; Clean Energy Regulator; Energy Rating; National Science Week; Questacon
Location
Canberra
Student Opportunities
There are a number of paid and unpaid research-based student opportunities at the National Measurement
Institute. These are mostly for science or engineering students.
Applications are currently suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis, but you can find more information here:
https://www.industry.gov.au/about-us/work-with-us/ student-opportunities
There are also opportunities for students and volunteers
at Questacon, as well as the National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra, which aims to promote
greater understanding and awareness of science and technology within the community. You can find more info here:
https://www.questacon.edu.au/science-communication/ working-at-q
Graduate Opportunities The
Department
offers
a
12-month
Graduate
Development Program, with an additional optional sixmonth career transition support program.
The graduate program offers on-the-job learning, formal
training and networking opportunities. Graduates will collaborate with other graduates on a major project
tackling real-life policy issues, and will learn soft and technical skills.
There are three streams available: - Generalist stream - STEM stream
- Professional services stream - for graduates with backgrounds in ICT, finance, law, communications or HR. You can find more info here:
https://www.industry.gov.au/about-us/work-with-us/ graduates-program
Fun Fact / Recent Project STEM Equity Monitor
The Department publishes a national data report on
girls' and women's participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, called the STEM Equity
Monitor. It presents the current state of STEM gender equity in Australia and provides a baseline for measuring change and trends over time in key sectors and career
phases of girls’ and women’s engagement with STEM. The 2020 report found that only 9% of women are studying
STEM at a teritriary institution, compared to 35% of men. Additionally, the report found that women's full-time median incomes were $1000 (in information technology)
to $20,000 (in computing and information systems) less than men's, depending on the industry.
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