National
Tonkin is proud to announce we are a Founding Partner for South Australia’s first Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES).
Working in collaboration with Engineering Aid Australia (EAA) and Flinders University, Tonkin will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students to explore the exciting opportunities a career in engineering can offer.
Since its inception in 1995, EAA’s Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES) program has encouraged and assisted First Nations youth from around Australia to complete Year 12 at high school and progress to gain a tertiary qualification that enables them to pursue a career in engineering or technology. The IAES is part of EAA’s broader wrap-around support model, which provides students with mentoring, encouragement and opportunities throughout high school, into university, and on to professional engineering careers.
The IAES is a free, hands-on program where students take part in a range of practical engineering activities, hear from industry professionals, head out on-site visits and learn about university life. This will be the first time the program has taken place in South Australia.
In addition to providing financial support, Tonkin will help shape the program in its first three years to ensure it meets the needs of the local community and industry. Tonkin’s engineers will also connect with and mentor students through a variety of activities during the program.
.webp)
Reflecting on the partnership Arimaya Yates, Engineering Aid Australia’s CEO said,
“We are honoured to welcome Tonkin as a founding partner of Engineering Aid Australia. Their commitment has been instrumental in bringing our first South Australian Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES) to Tarntanya (Adelaide) — a national milestone that creates new pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students into an industry where our people have been historically under-represented.
This is reconciliation in action. Thanks to Tonkin’s vision and leadership, we are forging a partnership that not only opens professional futures in engineering, but also honours culture, community, and the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in shaping South Australia’s — and Australia’s — future.
This achievement would not have been possible without Tonkin’s belief in the potential of our students, and together we are creating opportunities for young people to lead, innovate, and thrive.”
Tim Ennis, Tonkin’s Reconciliation Action Plan Champion, emphasised the importance of the program,
“Tonkin is thrilled to be a founding partner of the Adelaide Indigenous Australian Engineering School. Helping establish the first program of this kind in South Australia is an exciting and meaningful way for Tonkin to support career development opportunities for First Nations students. Not only will it mean that students have increased support to pursue study and careers in engineering, it will also benefit our local industry. Our engineers are looking forward to sharing their expertise and passion with the students and hopefully inspiring them to take up a career in engineering!”
Our collaboration with Engineering Aid Australia reflects commitments in Tonkin’s Reconciliation Action Plan and our goal to empowering First Nations students to pursue study and careers in the engineering, science, and technology industries.
The program runs from 17-20 November 2025 at Flinders University Tonsley Campus.
Applications close 30 September.