The Peregian Digital Hub is calling for the Sunshine Coast’s top talented Year 10 and 11 maths, technology and arts students to apply for its Term 3 Digital Design and Web Development cadetships.
Equivalent to first year university level, the programs aim to inspire ‘cadets’ to learn hands-on skills taught by experts. They attend weekly classes and have access to exciting vocational pathways and paid internship opportunities.
“At the Hub we’ve learnt that talented young people are capable of extraordinary things with the right support,” Chris Boden says.
Mr Boden, the Hub’s director, says the cadetships offer non-linear learning for smart, self-motivated young people. It provides unique opportunities for students to stretch themselves doing professional-level work.
“For talented students, it’s an opportunity to develop skills in some of the most sought-after areas of technology — web development and digital design,” he says.
There are a limited number of places available. Cadets need a strong interest in advanced maths and technology. Alternatively, they must have a creative passion and talent for expressing their ideas visually through drawing, illustration or graphic design.
Students benefit from cadetship program
Over the past two years more than 60 Noosa and Sunshine Coast teens have completed Hub Cadetships. Some have taken up opportunities including commercial mini-projects for local companies, part-time coding and AI work, and work experience. While others have started their own business.
Sunshine Beach State High School student, Evyn Jenkins completed the AI Cadetship in 2020. He has since worked with multiple local companies.
“The cadetship directly led to work experience and employment with local companies like Provectus Algae, Gfactor Technologies and Our Element,” Mr Jenkins says. “It has built my confidence in pursuing my passion for teaching programming.”
Mr Jenkins says his experience with the Peregian Digital Hub’s cadetship program inspired him to pursue a career in computer science.
“I hope I’ll be able to make a difference in the world, whether it is through something I create or through teaching and inspiring the next generation of coders.”
Former cadet, Ben Szabo-Virag from Matthew Flinders College, shares his skills and teaches holiday workshops at the Hub.
“I was invited to be part of the first AI Cadetship program in 2020 as a teacher, while I was in Year 9.”
He’s held part-time positions at Provectus Algae and continues teaching coding courses at the Hub during the school holidays. Mr Szabo-Virag says connecting with the Digital Hub community and its network of coders and tech companies is a huge benefit.
The Hub also has a holiday program. Workshops include robotics, 3D design and printing, digital art and music, and coding in Python.
Cadet places fill quickly. Year 10 and 11 students from schools across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa region are encouraged to apply. Applications close on Sunday, July 3. For more information visit the Peregian Beach Digital Hub website, then click on ‘Learn’.
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