As Australia’s aerospace industries continue to rapidly expand, the conversation around workforce development is increasingly the focus of stakeholders. While investment in infrastructure, missions, and technology remains essential, industry leaders and educators alike recognise that long-term growth depends on cultivating skills, curiosity, and confidence well before students reach tertiary study or employment. Programs that connect young people with authentic STEM experiences are emerging as a critical link between national ambition and future capability.
The Australian Government’s STEM Workforce Report highlights that STEM occupations are growing at double the rate of non-STEM roles. By 2033, Australia will require significant numbers of engineers, technologists, data specialists and mission operation specialists. Yet, student participation in advanced secondary STEM subjects continues to decline. This widening gap between industry need and student preparedness presents a long term challenge.
Early exposure to authentic STEM experiences is increasingly recognised as one of the most effective ways to address this issue. Research from the Australian Academy of Science indicates that students form their attitudes toward STEM careers between the ages of 10 and 14, well before they make subject selections that influence tertiary pathways. Programs that provide practical, inquiry‑based learning can strengthen confidence, build technical literacy and broaden awareness of emerging career fields, including those aligned with Australia’s space and aerospace capability.
It is within this context that One Giant Leap Australia’s partnership with Av-Comm Space & Defence is making a meaningful contribution to Australia’s STEM education and aerospace ecosystem. One Giant Leap Australia has announced the 2026 Av-Comm Aerospace Camp Goulburn Scholarship. Delivered in partnership with Av-Comm, it will provide new opportunities for Australian students to engage with aerospace and STEM education. The scholarship reflects a shared understanding that early exposure to space related disciplines can play a decisive role in shaping career pathways – particularly for students who may not otherwise see themselves represented in the sector.
Through the scholarship, ten students will each receive $1,000 to support their participation in Aerospace Camp Goulburn, One Giant Leap Australia’s flagship immersive STEM program. While modest in scale, the impact of such financial support can be significant. Specialist STEM programs often involve travel, accommodation, and participation costs that place them beyond the reach of many families, particularly those in regional and remote communities or from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. By reducing these barriers, the scholarship helps ensure that access to high-quality STEM education is determined by interest and potential, rather than postcode or financial circumstance.
“Av-Comm is a proud supporter of One Giant Leap Australia. We believe that growing the next generation of space professionals can start right here at Aerospace Camp,” said Michael Cratt, CEO of Av-Comm. “Av-Comm is excited to partner with One Giant Leap Australia to support their mission of offering transformative opportunities for students and educators to develop their knowledge and build career pathways.”
Av-Comm’s involvement underscores the increasingly important role that industry plays in shaping education outcomes. The company has seen the industry evolve from niche capability to a strategically important national priority. Alongside technological advancement has come a growing demand for skilled professionals. These are roles that rely on strong STEM foundations developed early in a student’s education.
Av-Comm delivers satellite communications expertise while actively championing early-career pathways and encouraging diverse participation across the industry. By investing in initiatives such as the Aerospace Camp scholarship, the company is helping to build a pipeline of future talent while reinforcing the importance of inclusion and accessibility within the space workforce.
Aerospace Camp itself is designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application. In addition to Goulburn, Aerospace Camp will visit and contribute to the economies of Richmond (NSW), Toowoomba (QLD) and Maroochydore (QLD). The program delivers a dynamic experience that allows students to immerse themselves in the challenges and opportunities of space exploration. Participants explore astronomy, rocket design, robotics, planetary habitats, and sustainable living on the Moon and Mars, while learning about Australia’s role in global space exploration. These activities mirror real industry challenges, from systems thinking and problem solving to collaboration and innovation in constrained environments.
Equally significant is the opportunity for students to engage directly with STEM professionals from across the aerospace industries. These interactions provide valuable insight into future study and career pathways, helping students understand not only what roles exist within the sector, but how those roles connect to school subjects and further education. This exposure can be transformative, turning abstract concepts into tangible possibilities and inspiring confidence to pursue STEM pathways long-term.
“Working alongside Av-Comm allows us to amplify the impact of Aerospace Camp Goulburn,” said Jenna McCarthy, International Education Outreach Manager at One Giant Leap Australia. “Together, we’re giving students the chance to step into a world of discovery, innovation and possibility. An experience can shape the trajectory of a young person’s life.”
The partnership also highlights the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors in delivering equitable education outcomes. Programs like Aerospace Camp Goulburn rely on the combined efforts of industry, educators, community organisations, and supporters to remain accessible to students from regional and remote areas. Without this collective investment, many young people would be excluded from opportunities that foster advanced skills, aspiration, and awareness of emerging industries such as space and aerospace. “These immersive camps give students the opportunity to learn about the rich space industry in Australia, and that they can become part of it”, explains Jenna. “Students who have experienced Aerospace Camp have left with the knowledge, determination and skills to achieve greater things. Parents have told us that the child they picked up is not the same one they dropped off. That they have developed a stronger mindset towards their understanding of aerospace, and beyond.”
As Australia continues to define its role within the global space economy, initiatives that invest in young people are increasingly recognised as strategic assets. The Av-Comm Aerospace Camp Goulburn Scholarship stands as an example of how targeted support, aligned with industry needs and educational expertise, can help ensure the next generation of Australian space and aerospace professionals is skilled, diverse, and ready to meet the challenges ahead.
Organisations across the aerospace, defence and technology sectors are invited to consider how they might contribute to this work. Whether through scholarships, in‑kind support, expertise or collaborative initiatives, industry engagement plays a vital role in shaping the future leaders who will sustain and advance Australia’s space and aerospace capability in the decades to come.
If you would like to find out more about Aerospace Camp or know of a young space explorer who would benefit from this unique experience, visit Aerospace Camp | One Giant Leap Australia to register.
