WSI, Chief Financial Officer, Shelley Turner; WSI, Chief Executive Officer, Simon Hickey; Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AO; Professor Deborah Sweeney, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President, Research, Enterprise and Global; WSI, Chief People Officer, Kirby Grattan; and Vice-Chancellor and President, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO
Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) and Western Sydney University have combined forces to drive education, training and job opportunities ahead of the airport's late 2026 opening.
WSI and the University have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see the organisations partner in a range of ways to drive positive outcomes for communities in Western Sydney – one of the fastest growing regions in the nation.
WSI CEO Simon Hickey said this new MoU builds upon a terrific history of collaboration between the airport and University in recent years.
"Western Sydney is in the midst of an incredible transformation, with the airport a major catalyst for broad infrastructure investment and significant job creation that will generate bigger and better career opportunities for students today and for generations to come," he said.
"Already we've had Western Sydney University students join the airport's internship and summer research programs, which have allowed them to get practical, hands-on skills while completing their studies, and have also had students take part in a major research project supported by the airport and our technology partner, DXC Technology. This MoU will build on those substantial foundations.
"Strengthening our partnership with the University is an important way we can help more young people during their journeys to study, up-skill or start their first job – whether it's in aviation, science, technology, advanced manufacturing or other diverse industries in Western Sydney."
Western Sydney University Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AO, said the partnership with WSI is crucial to unlocking the full potential of the airport and its broader impact on the region.
"The collaboration with WSI provides a key platform to enhance the education, research, and innovation connections needed to maximise the airport's potential. This is vital not only for the airport's development but also for the lasting benefits it can bring to the Western Sydney region," Professor Westacott said.
"Beyond the substantial jobs boost created through the construction phase, the jobs and skills development opportunities that will emerge from the airport's operations will be critical for the region. These opportunities will provide local residents with better access to employment and be a key driver of regional growth."
Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO emphasised the tremendous opportunity this strengthened partnership presents for students, staff, and the broader community.
"The MoU marks an extraordinary opportunity to expand on the excellent work already done with our students and WSI, including initiatives such as Launch Pad innovation projects, internships, and Capstone projects led by our School of Computing, Data and Mathematical Sciences," Professor Williams said.
"We are excited to grow these opportunities for hands-on learning and collaboration as we support WSI with initiatives across technology, humanities, and sustainability."
Elena Sevdimbas, a recent Western Sydney University graduate, gained valuable skills through an internship with WSI. The Cumberland resident, who completed a Social Science Internship with WSI's Community Engagement and Social Impact team, said the most impactful part of her internship was working directly within the Western Sydney community.
"As a recent graduate and former WSI intern, I saw firsthand the educational opportunities for students created through this partnership. Through this collaboration, students will gain access to valuable research, internships, and career pathways that will enhance their professional development, just as I had the opportunity to do," she said.
More than half of the approximately 3,500 people currently working to build WSI hail from Western Sydney, while 'learning' workers, which include trainees, graduates, apprentices, and workers training to upgrade their qualifications and skills, currently account for around 30 per cent of the workforce.
As WSI prepares to open in late 2026, thousands more jobs will be created across all parts of the precinct from domestic and international operations to services in the WSI Cargo and Business precincts as well.
