TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram: Young people have long lived in the digital world. However, the state of Upper Austria does not want to get students excited about extraordinary pictures that generate an exceptional number of likes and comments, but rather for the processes and processes behind them.
Because the information technology industry is desperately looking for staff. According to the Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce, there is currently a shortage of around 24,000 IT specialists in Austria, and this number is expected to rise to 30,000 in the next five years. This results in an annual loss of added value of 3.8 billion euros.
“Our young people are confronted with digital technologies on a daily basis, so to speak they grow up with digitization. At the same time, the information technology industry is desperately looking for qualified personnel. That’s why we want to get young people excited about jobs in the promising IT industry,” says Youth Councilor Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (VP).
workshops for schools
In order to bring young people and IT companies together, the pilot phase of a new project entitled “Youth in IT” will take place in October and November.
Two action days taking place in Linz allow second to fourth graders to take a look behind the scenes at the JKU Cool Lab and the Ars Electronica Center. A visit to international companies such as KEBA is included. Tobacco factory and launch ramp open the doors for students to bring them closer to the world of startups.
From autumn 2023, all classes between the 2nd and 4th grades of secondary school will be given the opportunity to carry out the “Youth in IT” project.
“In order for Upper Austria to remain competitive as a research and industrial location in the future, we must get young people in particular interested in technology and information technology. The ‘Youth in IT’ project is providing the right and necessary impetus for this,” says Meinhard Lukas, Rector of Linz’s Kepler University .
Source: Nachrichten
