Scitech major influence on WA STEM workforce

Deloitte study shows Scitech’s major influence on WA STEM workforce, Scitech, 20 August 2024

A new study from Deloitte has shown the impact and influence Scitech has had over the past 36 years science and technology careers and the value Western Australians place on the organisation.

A recent independent study by Deloitte has found that 1 in 3 STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) workers in Western Australia attribute Scitech as influencing their choice of career.

The study estimates that there are 247,000 STEM workers in Western Australia who contribute $87 billion to the local economy, approximately 21.4% of WA’s total gross value-added. Of those surveyed, 34% indicated that Scitech played a positive role in their career decisions and 8% acknowledged a highly positive impact. This amounts to Scitech having positively influenced an estimated 84,000 STEM workers, including 20,000 indicating a high positive. With 75% of the fastest growing occupations requiring STEM skills, these figures shows that Scitech is able to support and boost the local economy by playing a significant role in the developing interest in STEM and building the skills needed to meet future workforce demands in Western Australia.

The study was conducted by Deloitte to estimate the social value of Scitech, a charity organisation established in Perth in 1988, quantifying this through a combination of factors including transaction value, digital value and existence value. For example, the existence value refers to the value Scitech provides for WA residents simply through existing. The study found that the average WA household is willing to pay $15.04 per year to ensure Scitech’s continued operation, even if they have not visited, or have no plans to visit Scitech. It is estimated that Scitech’s total social value for Western Australians is $455 million to be generated in the next 30 years, demonstrating the important investment Scitech provides for the state.

Developing both individual and community interest in STEM requires a range of influential experiences including media, role models, formal education and informal education such as the hands-on and engaging science experiences provided by Scitech. In this way, Scitech is an integral part of the ecosystem, offering an essential investment in the economy, workforce and future of Western Australia.

“Over the past 36 years, Scitech has been passionate in helping the Western Australian community engage in science and in doing this has made an enormous contribution to a strong STEM workforce and a rich state. This report by Deloitte shows that Scitech has been and continues to be an important part of Western Australia’s success,” Scitech Board Chair Chris Palandri said.

“I have lost track of the number of Western Australians who have told me that Scitech was a key influence in their decision to enter the STEM workforce. This research by Deloitte now gives us the stats to prove this and we are incredibly proud of the impressive findings in the report. We are excited to continue to offer exciting and inspiring science experiences to help all Western Australians find their love of science and be part of preparing the WA workforce with the STEM skills they need,” Scitech CEO John Chappell said.