Winter 2007

Careers and transition

Welcome to high school, ICT STYLE

Sean Tierney looks at an education program in six Queensland schools that has the potential to change the face of the Australian IT industry.

The Australian IT industry is in an unusual predicament. In a time when high school students are embracing technology more than any other generation, university enrolments in ICT courses are dropping, forcing recruiters to look offshore to fill the gaps.

Adopting a new approach

The Queensland Department of Education, Training and the Arts (DETA), Microsoft and the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) launched the ‘ICT Industry Project’ in mid 2006 as part of DETA’s ‘Industry School Engagement Strategy’ and has been incorporated into the following schools; Chancellor State College on the Sunshine Coast, Harristown State High School in Toowoomba, Smithfield State High School in Cairns, John Paul College in Daisy Hill, Mt Gravatt State High School and Lourdes Hill College in Hawthorne. Each school incorporates an official Microsoft academy as part of a global education and training program that grants specific certifications, professional development for teachers and curriculum support.

‘The program is essential for job creation and the future of the ICT industry in Australia. Nationally, over the past two years, there has been a 38 per cent drop in university enrolments in ICT courses. The ICT Industry project is an opportunity for schools, universities, the government and industry to work together to create interest among the most talented students in order to remain competitive in the global market. Microsoft brings significant global experience to the table. Its worldwide program of developing ‘Microsoft Academies’ has brought a methodology for transforming regular high schools into “Microsoft Academies”’ says Microsoft’s Academic Programs Manager, Felicia Brown.

According to Ms Brown, ‘It’s hard to overstate the importance of training and developing students who are the future of the local IT industry. The ICT Industry Project is the first initiative in Australia designed to integrate industry standard information technology into the classroom with the specific purpose of not only educating the individual, but also contributing to Australia’s vibrant knowledge economy.’

Each school has received significant teacher release and professional development and the curriculum has either been, or is soon to be, adjusted to incorporate IT skills in classes ranging from English to maths, science and technology. The courses are vendor certified, which means that a range of technology companies recognise the qualifications, preparing the students for direct employment opportunities.

A program with a difference

So why is this initiative such a revolution? Surely if students are interested in IT, they will pursue tertiary qualifications when they finish school anyway?

The key difference with the ICT Industry Project is that students not only have access to the latest industry-based training, but also receive real insights into what life could be like working professionally in fields such as creative e-line commerce, business solution design, electronic games development, animation and spatial technology.

A series of school-based traineeships allow the top students to incorporate industry qualifications and work experience as part of their high school curriculum. The students are not just shown how to use the tools but also given access to industry to provide a real context.

The ICT Industry Project has provided six students with the opportunity to undertake unique school-based traineeships. By mid 2007, an additional six traineeships will have been taken up in multimedia, programming, technical support, ICT business administration and spatial technologies. Another ten school-based traineeships are under negotiation to start in the second half of the year.

The partnership between Microsoft, DETA and AIIA means top students are leaving school with the same qualifications their peers have traditionally had to wait to attain from post-secondary institutions.

Graduating students are profiled to the industry at the end of their courses, which, even in the program’s infancy, has led to employment. Just last year we had one student take on six months of programming training in the area of digital video gaming. His skills were then showcased to the industry and he was offered a position without any further qualifications.

The importance of such an approach

The program ignites a passion for a career in information technology that students may not have otherwise considered. The students are motivated, educated and most importantly employable in the ICT industry, and whether they choose to complete further study, or go straight into a junior position at an Australian-based firm, they are already on their way to filling the IT skills shortage.

One of the most exciting things about the ICT Industry Project is that it includes students from year 10 onwards in truly innovative projects. The hands-on nature of the program means that some students, who may otherwise not continue with their studies, are not only staying at school but learning something that will help them get their dream job.

It’s also about providing freedom of choice to school leavers who think they might be interested in an ICT career. Structured work placements mean you can test out your choices before you commit to them. Metaphorically speaking, we don’t just show them pictures of race cars in a text book, we’re putting them in the pits at the Indy 300.

Benefits for all

So what about the students attending the Microsoft Academies who aren’t interested in following a career in information technology? It is reported that the students at these schools will leave with a globally recognised industry certification showing they have fundamental ICT skills required for many jobs, not just those in ICT.

There is evidence from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to show that students who are established computer users perform better than students with limited computing experience.

With that in mind, the Gateway schools program in partnership with the Smart Classrooms agenda, is looking to improve the potential of all students by giving them the relevant skills, training and experiences to open up a career in ICT or put them on the road to success whatever their chosen field.

This project is Queensland specific. However, there are more than 20 Microsoft Academies. The program involves working with schools and TAFE institutions to create teacher and student training and certifications. The key difference is that the programs are not as extensive as the Gateway schools program.

Reference

PISA (2006) Are Students Ready for a Technology-Rich World? What PISA studies tell us, OECD, Paris.

Sean Tierney is head of department—Information and Communication Technology Industry, Queensland Department of Education, Training and the Arts.

The author owns the copyright in this article. For information related to the reuse of this work in any form please contact the publisher denise.quinn@curriculum.edu.au