Mr Jason Barkla

Jason is national manager of the Science and Industry Fund (SIEF) STEM+ Business program and the NSW Generation STEM Links industry internships program. These program provide matched funding for visionary Australian businesses to partner with talented science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students and Early Career Researchers in CSIRO, Australian universities and research institutes to develop world-leading products, services and technologies.

Jason joined CSIRO in late 2015 to successfully launch and deliver SIEF STEM+. The $11million of STEM+ Business grant funds is assisting 35 companies across Australia to collaborate with 21 Research Organisations for a program now worth $37million supporting the research efforts of 44 Early Career Researchers for 116 full-time years.

In 2021 Jason was tasked with launching and managing the New South Wales government funded Generation STEM Links program which is providing 325 tertiary STEM students from university, TAFE and VET courses with paid placements of over 200hrs in businesses across Western Sydney and regional NSW.

Prior to CSIRO Jason spent over 20 years working in privately owned small and medium businesses in Australia and Japan. With a comprehensive background in advanced 3D design, modelling and manufacture, Jason also became a recognised expert in 3D printing. He has extensive experience delivering innovative outcomes for defence, automotive and biomedical companies big and small.