Pilbara students gain drone pilot skills through Fortescue-Hedland school partnership

Students at Hedland Senior High School are gaining hands-on experience with emerging technologies and industry pathways through a partnership between Fortescue and the school that is transforming STEM learning in the Pilbara.

The three-year partnership agreement, announced in 2025, includes a $600,000 commitment from Fortescue to support a STEM Education Program, upgrade the school’s Technology Hub and expand vocational and tertiary pathways for local students. 

In its first year, the program has seen strong First Nations participation in STEM electives and growing enrolments in industry-aligned subjects, including drone technology and engineering pathways.

Fortescue Director Approvals, Communities and Services Rosli Wheelock said: “Programs like this are about making sure students in the Pilbara can see themselves in the industries shaping the future of our region.

“These technologies are already used across the Pilbara in mining, logistics and environmental management.

“Giving students access to these skills at school helps them understand the career pathways available to them and how their education connects to future workforce opportunities.”

A major focus of the program has been the transformation of the school’s Technology Hub into a hands-on innovation centre supporting drone technology, engineering, coding and immersive learning.

Students are learning to operate and program drones while developing knowledge of aviation safety, mapping technologies and real-world problem solving.

Three teachers have now attained qualifications enabling the school to deliver training toward Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) and Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot), providing students with access to industry-recognised training while still at school.

Students are applying these skills to real-world scenarios including bushfire assessment, disaster response, medical supply delivery and environmental monitoring.

Hedland Senior High School Principal Micheal Ciccotosto said: “For many of our students, programs like this open doors to opportunities they may not have previously considered.

“Access to technologies like drones, digital design and immersive learning right here in Hedland is incredibly powerful. It helps students understand how what they learn at school connects to real careers in the Pilbara and beyond.”

The program has also driven strong academic progression. All students who chose an ATAR STEM pathway in 2025 enrolled in advanced subjects including Mathematics Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.

Participation in engineering and trade pathways also increased, with students progressing into school-based traineeships and pre-apprenticeships in engineering and electrotechnology.

Beyond the classroom, the partnership is supporting culturally responsive learning approaches. Plans are underway to introduce immersive technologies to support Two-Way Science, integrating local storytelling and cultural knowledge with digital tools to deepen students’ connection to place.

The partnership will continue over the next two years, building on the strong foundation established in 2025 and expanding opportunities for students across the school.