Sydney’s new airport sets local students’ STEM skills soaring

Western Sydney high school students have been given unique insights into the STEM careers that will be available at Australia’s newest global gateway thanks to Western Sydney Airport’s new collaboration with the Royal Aeronautical Society. 
 
The Kids Engineering Our Skies program will see local schools visit the Western Sydney International Airport (WSIA) Experience Centre in Luddenham to see how airport construction is progressing first-hand and learn about the different jobs Sydney’s new airport will offer from some of the experts helping to build the once-in-a-generation project. 
 
Kingswood High School and Liverpool Boys High School were among the first schools to be welcomed to WSIA as part of the new collaboration. Students participated in a careers Q&A session to learn about the many exciting STEM careers that will be available when the airport opens in late 2026.  
 
Western Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer Simon Hickey said Sydney’s new international airport will be a game-changer for the region, creating a new era of jobs and opportunities for decades to come.  
“We are committed to empowering the young minds of Western Sydney to take advantage of the thousands of jobs the airport will offer right at their doorstep,” Mr Hickey said. 
 
“Building a greenfield airport in the heart of Western Sydney creates a unique opportunity for students to grow their knowledge of STEM throughout their school life in tandem with the airport’s development. 
 
Students also gained hands-on experience learning about aeronautics by designing, constructing and test flying their own model aircraft. The activity helped students make connections between classroom learning in STEM and future work and learning opportunities in aviation. 
 
Royal Aeronautical Society Cool Aeronautics National Coordinator Olga Hanson said the collaboration with WSIA is aimed at increasing awareness of the breadth of opportunities students can pursue in the world of aerospace and aviation.   
 
“This collaboration places students in the perfect position to engage with STEM, and draw the connection between the skills they need to get the jobs they want at WSIA or within the broader industry,” Ms Hanson said. 
 
Kids Engineering Our Skies is a new initiative from the Royal Aeronautical Society’s STEM outreach program Cool Aeronautics as an introduction to aerospace and aviation for young people.