Autodesk helps Kiwi students prepare for workforce

New Zealand and Australian secondary schools, universities and vocational institutions now have the opportunity to access Autodesk’s professional 3D design software and creativity apps.

In addition, Autodesk is also launching ‘Design the Future’. This programme provides free software and training to secondary school teachers, and project-based curricula that integrates software and apps into standard lesson plans.

“Today’s students will shape tomorrow’s industries,” Brenton Wyett, manager of Education programmes at Autodesk, says.

“With free access to Autodesk software, schools can expose students to the technological advancements that are revolutionizing the professional world — from cloud and mobile technologies to 3D printing.

"This will help to equip and inspire the next generation of creative leaders and innovators in [Australia/New Zealand]”.

Over 3,400 schools are in line to benefit from Autodesk’s pledge, valued at over $25 million AUD. Educators will now have the tools to teach critical problem-solving skills and prepare students for careers in the STEAM fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

Schools throughout New Zealand and Australia are already using the Autodesk 3D design software, creativity app and learning resources. With the benefits of the new initiative, secondary schools will offer a multi-disciplinary approach to education, and higher education students have access to 3D design tools and workflows that are used across many professional industries.

Year 9 to 13 students at Taupo’s Taupo-nui-a-Tia College use integrated software that encourages design thinking and assists in honing their problem solving skills.

Rod Forrest, teacher in charge of design and visual communication, says that integrated software helps to motivate students in the junior school as they can visualise their designs in 3D, with changes easily made.

“In the senior school, the students go on to model their projects in the software,” he says. “Drawings produced from these files can be submitted to New Zealand Qualifications Authority as part of their end of year external assessment portfolio.”“Our experience is that including software into our curriculum has not only helped to lift engagement in the classroom; it has also helped to lift the students’ grades.”

For more information, visit www.autodesk.com/academic