Inspiring the Next Generation: A Week with Lily at Automated Solutions Australia

Recently, Automated Solutions Australia had the pleasure of hosting Lily, a Year 10 student, for her work experience placement. This opportunity provided Lily with hands on learning and an exploration into the world of robotics and engineering.

Throughout her week, Lily worked under the direct supervision of ASA’s Melbourne engineering teams on a variety of activities that gave her hands on experience and insight into what we do when building automation systems for our clients. She made brackets to support a control cabinet, cutting, drilling and tapping and then painting the brackets. She was shown how to design parts on 3D modelling software and she 3D printed her own design. She was shown how to drive a robot around with the teach pendant, even getting involved in touching up points prior to running the robot to see the results of her program edits. She actively took part in team discussions around a number of project concepts and impressed us greatly with her thoughtful questions and her quick grasp of complex concepts.

Pat Green, Director of Automated Solutions Australia, emphasised the significance of Lily’s visit:

“Lily’s week with us was an incredible experience for both her and our team. She has a real passion for engineering, made evident from day one as she jumped at every opportunity to take part in whatever we were working on. She spoke enthusiastically about her studies and her interests including that she is an RAAF Cadet. She aims to study engineering through the Royal Australian Airforce at ADFA, and it’s truly inspiring to see young women like Lily taking a keen interest in STEM fields and increasingly choosing engineering as their career.”

Lily’s experience highlights Automated Solutions Australia’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineers, especially young women. The company recognises the importance of fostering diversity and inclusion within the engineering and robotics sectors. By providing opportunities for students like Lily, we aim to inspire more young women to pursue careers in these fields.

Reflecting on her experience, Lily said: ‘During my work experience, I was supported through many of the engineering design and manufacturing processes related to current projects, allowing me to use my problem-solving skills and firsthand experience of what the job can be like in the industry. I was also taught how to use software to design, and 3D print different parts and even got the opportunity to control one of the robots built and run through some testing that needed to be completed. In the future I hope to become an engineer though at the time the discipline is unclear, work experience helped me to gain a better insight into what that might look like in the industry, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience.”

Automated Solutions Australia is dedicated to promoting engineering as an exciting and viable career path for women. As the field of robotics continues to evolve, the need for diverse perspectives and talents becomes increasingly important. Lily’s successful week at the company is a testament to the potential of young women in STEM and the positive impact they can have on the industry.

The team at Automated Solutions Australia eagerly anticipates seeing Lily and other young women like her break barriers and lead the way in engineering and robotics. Lily’s time with the company has equipped her with valuable skills and confidence, setting a strong foundation for her future endeavours in the field.

Pat Green concluded with optimism for the future:

“We are thrilled to have been a part of Lily’s journey and are excited to see where her passion for engineering takes her. Her presence was a breath of fresh air, and she has left a positive impression on all of us. Whether Lily’s dream leads her back to robotics eventually or some other technologies as an engineer in defence, we can’t wait to see the contributions she will make to the future.”

Lily’s week at Automated Solutions Australia serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting young talent and promoting diversity within STEM fields. Her story is an inspiration to all young women considering a career in engineering.