With an estimated 92 per cent of future jobs requiring digital skills,i Commonwealth Bank is partnering with Refraction Media and Google Australia to increase awareness and encourage more Australian high school students to consider careers in technology and computing.
As part of the partnership, copies of Refraction Media’s Careers with STEM magazine series will be distributed to every high school across the country, with the magazine promoting career opportunities and pathways available through STEM subjects including engineering, maths, science, coding, cyber security and economics.
Commonwealth Bank’s Head of Future Talent, Sharon Collins, said the partnership was part of the bank’s efforts to build skills and equip young Australians for the future workplace.
“For many students it can be daunting deciding which areas that they should focus on for their studies,” Ms Collins said.
“It can be difficult for students to see what careers are available to them afterwards. Through this partnership we’re hoping to promote the opportunities available through STEM and encourage more students to consider careers in technology and innovation.
“It’s estimated that Australia’s economy will need an additional 200,000 people working in IT and technology over the next five years (ACS, 2018). As one of the country’s largest employers in innovation and cyber security we want to make sure young Australians are best prepared to meet the employment needs of the future.”
Refraction Media CEO and Publisher, Karen Taylor-Brown said the launch of ‘Careers with STEM’ was in response to an industry need for skilled graduates for the future of work.
"By combining skills in STEM with students’ interests or passions outside of school we are able to reach those who normally may not have seen themselves working in technology. We know that three-quarters of future jobs will require STEM skills, so we need to make sure that STEM connects with kids in a way that is more than just activities in a classroom,” Ms Taylor-Brown said.
Google Australia’s Engineering and Outreach Manager, Sally-Ann Williams, added, “We are proud to be a founding partner of the Careers with Code magazine, the first Careers with STEM magazine, published 5 years ago. We know that providing inspiration and role models is a powerful way of inspiring students to consider a career in computer science. We're excited to see this years magazine launch and be delivered to schools across Australia and New Zealand.”
In addition to supporting Refraction Media, CBA also promotes STEM through events including the Girls In Tech Expo, Amaze, the Wired for Wonder Youth Summit, and Young ICT Explorers. CBA has also partnered with the Australian Business and Community Network and the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences to deliver the Full STEAM Ahead program in Sydney.
In August, CBA announced it’s partnership with the Australian Cyber Academy to deliver a series of classroom-ready challenges aimed at building and strengthening cyber skills of Australian high school students.
I Innovation and Science Australia; ‘Australia 2030’ (2018) - https://www.industry.gov.au/sites/g/files/net3906/f/May%202018/document/extra/australia-2030-prosperity-through-innovation-summary.pdf