CASE STUDY
Bureau of Meteorology
From Willis Island to Mawson Station - exploring tech, data, jobs and pathways with The Bureau of Meteorology
Partnership
Societies rely on accurate and accessible weather forecasts multiple times a day. The technology is mysterious, the communications critical, and the occupations appear glamorous and unattainable. Everybody relies on the weather forecast but very few people have any knowledge of the processes used, the skills required or what kind of jobs might be available at the Bureau of Meteorology.
Generally speaking, there is an assumption that there are few opportunities available at the Bureau - and if there are vacancies, they are niche and infrequently available. The Bureau of Meteorology, like many other STEM-focused organisations are facing major challenges in recruiting the right candidates for entry-level opportunities.
By the time potential entry-level candidates learn about pathways available, it is often too late. They may have dropped the subject/s required, opted out of the grad program recruitment streams or are just snapped up elsewhere by organisations scrambling to hire STEM graduates.
The Bureau commenced its partnership journey with MTS via a light touch industry immersion event - Career Launchpad World Changers in 2023. Its staff participated in a pathways speed networking event that connected secondary school students with industry professionals. The staff valued the opportunity to engage with curious students, and it prompted the confidence to work in partnership to design an industry immersion that might i) Unpack work done at the Bureau, ii) Profile jobs in demand, and iii) Focus on positive opportunities.
Program
MTS and Bureau staff formed a small working group to develop a whole-day Industry Immersion event. Whilst we met several times to establish the framework, most of the development work was facilitated digitally and via a project management board.
The event was capped at 45 students and pitched at students from Years 10-12.
It was critical the Bureau’s expertise be utilised to build interactive sessions that focused on three skill areas in demand at the Bureau.
Such content can be sophisticated and complex. Breaking it down into teachable, accessible content was challenging. MTS pedagogical teaching expertise was able to support the Bureau’s Scientists to create 3 rotations that focused on: climate science, maintenance of observational equipment, and meteorology.
The hands-on sessions were led by Bureau scientists and technicians, with multiple pathway options represented. We learned that all disciplines and departments work together to deliver vital societal services.
The Careers & Pathways segment delivered the “where to from here” information. A highlight was the Industry panel segment, which featured scientists from Antarctica, Willis Island and Giles (in Central Australia). The panellists were informative and authentic - unpacking their personal pathway to the Bureau, what a typical working day looks like when working in a remote environment and why they are passionate about their work at the Bureau.
MTS facilitated an interactive Q&A session, where students entered questions on Poll EV to unpack what life is like living and working remotely at the Bureau.
Despite potentially vulnerable satellite links, the tech held up, and we learned about wildlife on Willis Island, how equipment is maintained at minus 40 degrees and what people do for entertainment in a remote desert environment. Poll EV is a great solution for a live audience Q&A as it encourages shy students to ask questions, supports student-led content, and encourages students to vote on what questions should be flagged.
What made this day unique? The workshop activities were designed and delivered by scientists and technicians in an industry environment. The theory behind meteorology and climate forecasting was underpinned by data analysis-focused workshops that utilised applied learning principles. There was an emphasis on unpacking how the Bureau delivers customer service for all folk - ensuring students developed insight into how important accurate forecasts are for humans and their endeavours. Stakeholders include farmers, workers, children, animals, infrastructure and technologies - everyone on the planet is a stakeholder and therefore a customer of the Bureau of Meteorology.
Finally, students were able to meet professionals who could talk about the opportunities available in science, engineering, information technology and business pathways from their lived experience.
Outcomes
Students were issued with a Credley backed digital badge, which was co-branded with the Bureau. It captured the observations, experiences and foundation skills obtained on the day. The digital badge verifies a first step in a potential career journey that is complex, rewarding and full of adventures - whether you’re forecasting long-range rainfall in Melbourne or maintaining critical equipment in a blizzard.
MTS survey data results:
- 34 student respondents
- 97% believe that the learning intentions were met
- 100% learnt something new
- 100% learnt about industries that use STEM
- 29% more likely to do STEM at University of TAFE
- 35% more likely to consider a STEM career
