Gateway to Industry Schools Program

The use of technology is found in most jobs however the first 6 years of the ICT GISP project have highlighted four key areas that best align with the needs of students, and with economic and industry demands for the next stage of the ICT GISP.  These 'pillars', which are considered critical to our current and future economic development, are Cyber Security, Esports and Game Development, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence.

Below is a diagram that gives more insight into what makes up these pillars.

Cyber Security is considered a potentially exciting industry to enter, and the notion of “Hacking for good not evil” entices young people.  In addition, well-publicised hacks of public companies such as Microsoft, and TV shows such as “Hunted”, show the importance of this field, as well as the different roles available in cyber security that can appeal to a wider demographic than what is stereotypically considered a cyber security role.   

Video Gaming, Esports and Game Development are lucrative industries for Australia and Queensland specifically with significant tax incentives for game studios.  It also attracts an equal number of males and females, with 47% of Gamers being female.  Research has also shown that young people who identify as neurodivergent find a place within the gaming community.   In addition, the inclusion of Esports in future Olympic competitions is boosting the acceptance of this area as a legitimate career option.

Robotics is an increasingly sophisticated industry with a growing impact across many sectors. Australia now has a National Robotics Strategy, which forecasts that robotics and automation have the potential to add between $170 billion and $600 billion per year to Australia’s GDP by 2030. In particular it is expected to help to grow the manufacturing sector and address skills shortages in a range of others, while also providing employment opportunities for those who maintain and develop such technologies.

Artificial Intelligence is a newer area of focus, but one that has quickly become a key part of many workflows and projects. Research from PWC is already showing however that sectors with the highest levels of AI usage have a 4.8x increase in the growth of labour productivity. In addition, roles associated with AI development command a wage premium 17% higher than other jobs, and by 2027, the penetration rate for AI in major Australian industries will exceed approximately 60% - all factors that point to the importance of pathways that can support schools to engage with AI.