BANKSIA Grove students will become ‘cybersecurity smarter’ after their school joined a pilot technology program.
Joseph Banks Secondary College joined the Pathways in Technology (P-Tech) program, which will base its northern Perth partnership at the school.
The program, managed by not-for-profit Skilling Australia Foundation, will allow students to work towards a post-secondary qualification in the cybersecurity field whilst completing their WACE studies.
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READ NOWThe Federal Government has provided $5.1 million for 13 school sites nationally and Pearce MHR Christian Porter visited the school on October 28 to launch the local partnership.
College principal Eleanor Hughes said students participating in P-TECH would be able to make connections with employers and build skills that would open doors to a career in cyber security.
“The support of our industry partners means students can be involved in authentic project-based learning, both at school and in the workplace,” Ms Hughes said.
Foundation general manager Andrew Sezonov said the pilot was opening the eyes of thousands of students to careers they may not have considered.
“More than 75 per cent of Australia’s new and emerging industries demand solid STEM skills, and the cybersecurity sector is estimated to create 18,000 additional jobs by 2026,” he said.
“This important program will help students to develop the skills needed for jobs of the future in local growth industries and emerging sectors of the economy like cybersecurity, enabling Joseph Banks Secondary students to work closely with local businesses to bridge the STEM skills gap.”
Mr Porter said demand for cyber security professionals was growing exponentially, creating opportunities for young people.
“Through the P-Tech program, students at Joseph Banks Secondary College will be well placed to capitalise on this growing demand by developing the necessary skills and experience that they will need to find work in this critically important new field,” he said.
“Some will want to go on and further expand their skills through tertiary study, while others will leave school ready and able to pursue employment opportunities in the cyber security sector, including with the school’s industry partners.”
Industry and education partners include Asterisk Information Security, Australian Computer Society, BHP, Diamond Cyber, Trustwave, Kinetic IT and North Metropolitan Tafe.
For more information, visit www.education.gov.au.