Thales has signed a multi-year internship and scholarship agreement agreement with Western Sydney University, which will allow promising engineering students to work for Thales in the final year of their studies.
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In a statement released on Friday, May 24, Thales said the company was "strongly committed to developing the engineers and scientists of the future".
"This agreement further illustrates Thales's commitment to developing and promoting engineering opportunities in Lithgow, western Sydney and the Central West," it stated.
It signaled that the development of skills in the region would be vital to its continued development of world-leading technologies.
Thales Australia director technical/operations vehicles and tactical systems, Mike Rigby, said Thales has had a longstanding relationship with Western Sydney University.
"Thales has already provided opportunities for many years for WSU students to work on real industrial challenges and have the opportunity to be involved with a global company that invests heavily in local research, technology and product development," he said.
The formalisation of this relationship would benefit both parties, Dean of computing, engineering and mathematics at Western Sydney University, Professor Simeon Simoff, said.
"Opportunities for our students to apply the knowledge and cutting edge skills learned on campus, with advanced manufacturing companies such as the Thales Integrated Weapons and Sensors Business, provides unique local opportunities that our students have had to traditionally travel into Sydney's CBD, interstate or internationally to experience," he said.
"WSU looks forward to continuing to work closely with Thales and its IWS business on its many exciting R&D, product development and industrial growth programs well into the future."
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A large number of WSU interns at Thales have gone on to full time roles within the business and are currently working in design, production, industrialisation, test and evaluation.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said the announcement was good news for the region, as the partnership would open up new opportunities for skilled workers.
"We want to see more jobs in the region, and seeing Thales Australia and Western Sydney University sign an agreement to support internships and scholarships for engineering students is a step in the right direction," Mr Toole said.
"This partnership is a great initiative and one that will really benefit our next generation of engineers."
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