Schools like St Albans Heights Primary School understand how important it is for children to learn skills for the jobs of tomorrow. And so does Labor.

 

A Shorten Labor Government will ensure coding is taught in every primary and secondary school in Australia.

 

Labor will ensure our great teachers have the opportunity to receive training so they can teach coding with confidence.

 

Teachers with the support, skills and knowledge they need, will inspire more young Australians to go on to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

 

Three in four of the fastest growing occupations already require qualifications in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

 

St Albans Heights Primary School is one of around 75 schools, community centres and libraries already engaging teachers, parents and students on coding, by hosting a free Code Club after school for children aged 9-11 years.

 

Code Club is a fantastic program, led by teachers and volunteers, aiming to teach children the basics of computer programming and logic, to help them develop creativity and problem solving skills.

 

In addition, Code Club Australia works with classroom teachers to help them build their computer programming and code skills.

 

To ensure children are taught coding from the beginning of formal learning, Labor will work with states, territories and the Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority (ACARA) to lift coding to the status of literacy and numeracy in the Australian Curriculum.

 

To drive and promote innovative teaching of coding in schools, Labor will establish a National Coding in Schools centre (NCIS) where business and industry can connect with teachers.

 

To prepare for future demand, business and industry have been calling for immediate action to improve digital literacy in schools by embedding coding in the Australian Curriculum from primary school.

 

Telstra helped establish Code Club Australia because they understand that future jobs and future economic growth will depend on the skills of today’s school students in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering.

 

A Shorten Labor Government will make coding in schools a national priority to drive innovation and creativity, while preparing young Australians with the skills they will need for the jobs of the new economy.

 

For more information about Labor’s plan for the jobs of the future visit www.futuresmartaustralia.org.au

 

FRIDAY, 22 MAY 2015

 

MEDIA CONTACT: LEADER’S OFFICE MEDIA UNIT 02 6277 4053