The Tech Talent Shortage Has a Solution — and She's Sitting in a High School Classroom

The technology industry is facing a well-documented talent shortage - and one of the best solutions is no secret. Greater female participation in ICT careers is one of the most powerful levers we have to close the gap. International Girls in ICT Day is held April 23 each year as a vital annual reminder of this opportunity, and it is heartening to see Australian schools getting involved to celebrate the day.

This year, Saint Stephen's College (Upper Coomera) and event coordinator Casey McManus marked the occasion for an impressive sixth consecutive year with a panel and series of tech workshops. This longevity is a testament to their long-term commitment to inspiring young women in technology. Consistency matters in this space and six years of sustained effort signals a school culture that genuinely champions the future of its female students.

At the heart of this year's event was a panel of Young Tech Ambassadors representing some of Australia's most exciting technology organisations. Michell and Daniel from PlaySide Studios, former student Aiden from the QUT Robotics program, and Jo from Canva Education brought their real-world experience into the room, answering questions and sharing practical tips with over 120 Year 7 and 8 students. As research consistently shows that interest in STEM pathways begins to decline for girls in early high school, making targeted engagement at this stage genuinely impactful (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8565726).

What made the event particularly effective was the authenticity of having actual professionals sharing their own journeys, challenges and wins. In particular, having younger tech workers from the Australian Computer Society (ACS) facilitated Young Tech Ambassador program helps the messages resonate with teenagers in a way that brochures and career guides cannot.

Students commented that “It was really good and I really enjoyed myself”, “Learning about 3D modelling at the workshop was really fun”, and “I hope I have a chance to do it again in the future”.

The ICT Gateway to Industry Schools program (ICT GISP), also facilitated by the ACS, played a supporting role on the day — providing connections and rewarding well-asked questions with some well-received merch. It is a program worth knowing about if you work in education or industry and want to create similar opportunities in your community.

In Casey’s words, “Every year I look forward to seeing students encounter and embrace all the different options that are open to them with Digital Careers. We had some amazing panellists this year who gave engaging insights and I am so grateful for them, and everyone else who helped make this day possible for the students”.

To everyone involved at Saint Stephen's College and beyond - well done. This is how lasting change is made: one classroom, one conversation, one curious student at a time. 

Learn more about the International Girls in ICT Day, go here https://www.itu.int/women-and-girls/girls-in-ict/international-girls-in-ict-day-2026/overview.

The Information and Communication Technology Gateway to Industry Schools project (ICT GISP) encourages partnerships between industry, government, schools and their communities to build Queensland's future information technology workforce. The project provides an important opportunity to address the significant shortfall of young, emerging ICT talent in Queensland. It is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government. Learn more at https://qldictgisp.acs.org.au.