Qantas Women in Tech Day

Friday 21 March saw 12 Year 10 students attend the Women in Tech Day at Qantas, where they explored the vast and evolving role of technology in the aviation space. The event highlighted how technology underpins every aspect of Qantas’ operations, from customer experience and flight optimisation to cybersecurity and engineering.

A key takeaway from the day was that technology is everywhere, making it a dynamic and essential industry to be part of. The students saw first-hand how technology transforms business processes and decision-making, while also offering career pathways across a range of industries and global opportunities.

Key Insights from the Day

Service Design & Customer Experience

Qantas leverages service design to enhance and personalise customer experiences.
AI and data analytics help forecast customer needs, allowing for tailored in-flight experiences.
Market research and data are used to predict destination popularity and optimise flight routes.

Cybersecurity & Cloud Engineering

The visit to the Qantas Cyber Centre provided insight into how Qantas protects its global systems from security threats.
Students saw how cloud engineering is vital in ensuring efficiency and resilience in airline operations.

Operational Efficiency & Data Utilisation

At the Regional Operational Centre, students learned about on-time departure targets, competitor benchmarking, and the data-driven decisions that keep Qantas running efficiently.
They explored Qantas’ internal programs, including the turnaround management system and disruption management system, which help minimise delays and improve customer satisfaction.
A fascinating insight was how one set of data can be viewed and impacted differently depending on the department using it.

Flight Data & System Optimisation

Students were exposed to how vast amounts of data are collected on every flight, including:
- Instrument usage and flight controls to ensure safety and efficiency.
- Customer usage patterns (e.g., food and drink consumption) to enhance in-flight services.

Qantas Design Challenge

The students had a chance to apply their design and technology skills in a hands-on Qantas Design Challenge, where they were tasked with redesigning the in-flight entertainment system. Their goal was to create a personalised entertainment experience that mimics a passenger’s home setup, making long-haul flights more comfortable and enjoyable.

The Women in Tech Day at Qantas was an inspiring experience that showcased the limitless opportunities in STEM careers. The students saw first-hand how technology plays a critical role in aviation, not only in flying planes but also in enhancing customer experience, managing operations, and securing global systems.

This event was a fantastic opportunity to expose students to real-world applications of technology and highlight the growing demand for STEM skills in the workforce. Many left feeling excited about the possibilities of a career in tech, whether in aviation or beyond.