BHP Billiton today congratulated all of the winners and participants in the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) Choose Maths 2016 awards, celebrating the importance of inspiring and up-skilling the next generation of Science Technology Engineering Maths (STEM) professionals.

The awards are one of four components of AMSI and the BHP Billiton Foundation’s Choose Maths program. The program is a five-year A$22 million partnership to strengthen mathematics teaching, and foster participation and career awareness of girls and women in mathematics.

BHP Billiton Head of Geoscience Laura Tyler said the BHP Billiton Foundation’s ambition is to make a meaningful contribution to some of the sustainability challenges facing Australia.

“In a rapidly changing and complex world, Australia’s future success will rely on a highly educated and diverse workforce founded on a strong pipeline of science and technology skills,” she said.

“Investment in mathematics education is critical to provide students, particularly girls, with the foundational skills and confidence to drive industry and innovation into the future. Skilled educators make this possible by creating engaging learning environments.

“BHP Billiton and companies like ours need talented graduates and employees with maths skills. Applied mathematics are critical skills within our company and evident in a range of roles from environmental field specialists, controllers monitoring ship loaders at our iron ore ports, to geoscientists that define our mineral resources and engineers reviewing data to make processes safer and more efficient.

“We are proud to support AMSI and all of the teachers who are inspiring and up-skilling the next generation of STEM professionals and look to those students to be ready to contribute to Australia’s future.”

Further information on the program can be found at: choosemaths.org.au