Ferm boosts STEM student programs

Ferm Engineering is helping to train the next generation of fire engineers through mentoring and continuing to offer work experience placements.

Two undergraduate students are currently working with the Brisbane-based Ferm team – Amy Anthony, a third-year architecture student, and Ben Burton, who is studying mechanical engineering.

Ferm CEO Steve Burton said his company has always had a strong commitment to training newcomers to the engineering profession, particularly those sourced from among colleagues, relatives and neighbours.

After all, it’s a family-based business. (Ben is Steve’s nephew.)

The students are learning how to relate to others in the workplace, quality assurance, CAD and 3D drawing, modelling systems and the commercial side of construction.

Steve also is mentoring Masters of mechanical engineering student Nourehan Wahba from the University of Melbourne through the Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS) Mentorloop program, run by the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. IMNIS connects motivated students and postdoctoral fellows in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with outstanding high-level industry leaders in a one-year mentoring and professional development program.

Nourehan, who will complete a Masters degree at the end of 2022, is developing software to manage an environmental comfort control system for buildings. Steve’s voluntary assistance is helping to commercialise her work.

Steve has been working with IMNIS to mentor students for more than five years.

Kieren Quach, who completed a summer internship with Ferm in 2021, joined the company this year after graduating from QUT in civil and structural engineering. He’s now enrolled in a Masters in Fire Safety Engineering at the University of Queensland.