What does it take to create the next generation of Deadly Engineers?

The next generation of Deadly Engineers has newfound hope, after the establishment of a majority-Indigenous board to guide Deadly Coders expansion into new territories.

Deadly Coders was established to expand the horizons for the next generation of Deadly Engineers, after founding Board members observed the chronic misrepresentation of Indigenous students in STEM-related fields.  As the world of work further centres itself around STEM, Indigenous graduates remain disproportionately underrepresented in Australian tertiary institutions.

Only 0.5% of Indigenous Australians of working age have completed a degree in a STEM related field, compared to 5% of their non-Indigenous counterparts.

We know that a lack of equal access to STEM education plays a huge role in determining whether First Nations people engage with STEM-related career pathways. Despite efforts to Close the Gap the disparity has remained steady over the past 20 years and the world’s oldest engineers are being locked out of the STEM profession.

So what are we doing to change this, and to provide a platform for the next generation of Indigenous innovators?

• Deadly Coders has set up an inclusive framework designed to pipeline First Nations kids into the industry by breaking down barriers such as location. If a child lives in a rural or remote place we want them to have the same opportunity and access as someone in an inner city suburb. We’re delivering programs in more regional and rural locations than ever before.
• We work to ensure staff and participants are educated about the culture linked to the land they are standing on,
• We work closely with local elders and community members to keep us informed and accountable – this has been further strengthened by the establishment of our majority-Indigenous Board to guide our actions and ensure our programs deliver to communities in need.
• We work hard to support communities and schools to participate in the delivery of our Deadly Coders programs across Australia. 

Deadly Coders CEO Grant Maher, Gumbaynggirr and Biripri descendent, and Director of Indigenous owned engineering consultancy, Jabin Group brings his deep experience and passion to guide Deadly Coders’ ambitious expansion plans.  

Grant says “Programs like Deadly Coders make it possible for First Nations students to participate in STEM from an early age…I know from experience that it is this kind of exposure which plants the seeds that can grow into bigger and better things”.

Improving access to quality education for First Nations students in STEM fields is critical to addressing the disparity. We are committed to continuing to grow and refine this process and look forward to seeing the gap close!