Broadening STEM careers access for First Nations students

Kyndryl and Indigenous Technology have partnered to widen participation and increase access to STEM careers for First Nations students, creating potential pathways into IT professions.

As part of the partnership, Kyndryl will work with Indigenous Technology to expand its Mirrinj program, with a focus on creating learning and education opportunities for tertiary-level and adult First Nations students to explore and enter the ICT workforce.

Kyndryl and Indigenous Technology will co-design a series of in-person workshops, launching in September 2023, that will offer professional development, automation education and an insight into working in IT for First Nations students and community members. Students will be invited to attend from a range of leading universities. Attendees who complete the workshops will also be invited to apply for paid work experience at Kyndryl with corporate and government client projects. In order to increase access to a broad range of ICT careers and attract a broad range of skillsets and vocations, the program will not be limited to only those pursuing traditional STEM degrees.

As part of the Mirrinj Program, Indigenous Technology delivers a range of initiatives designed for various age groups.

“Currently we are working with primary students in the outback, and are also in planning for later this year when we will be launching the Women’s Digital Literacy program. It is very exciting,” said Indigenous Technology Director Cheryl Bailey, who is a proud Muriwari woman from the Weilmoringle community in far north-west NSW.

“By leveraging Indigenous Technology and Kyndryl’s combined capabilities and experience, we will present a formidable partnership in solving some of the pressing challenges in the sector, which will ultimately enable opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to realise their global potential. What we are developing together will be unique, inspirational and will be the first program of its type in Australia,” Bailey said.

“After collaborating in the past on state and federal government work, Kyndryl is excited to formalise our partnership with Indigenous Technology, with a focus on helping to create a more inclusive economy by reducing barriers to work experience for First Nations students,” said Ashish Kumar, President of Kyndryl Australia and New Zealand.

“We look forward to inviting students and community members into our workplace to share knowledge and meet like-minded individuals, which we hope will lead to more First Nations students pursuing a STEM profession and, ideally, building a technology career at Kyndryl.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Natali_Mis