Marden Senior College has responded to a call from industry for young, cyber-savvy students to strengthen their essential skills by empowering them to develop work-ready abilities.

Taking a leaf out of the Department for Education’s Public Education Strategy by harnessing learner agency to empower students as partners in their own learning, the specialist senior college set a task whereby 25 per cent of the grade for the school’s Cyber Security subject is earned through hosting a cyber career paths event.

Earlier this year, the Marden students planned and managed the event, inviting students and parents from across South Australia to attend virtually or in person to hear insights from leading South Australian industry members.

The event, held for the second time, was run in August and will be held again in 2026, featuring students and industry representatives.

Marden cyber teacher Joshua Earl said the message from industry was loud and clear: As an expanding hub for cyber innovation, collaboration and capability, South Australia faces a challenge – to ensure there are enough skilled tech workers ready to step into the industry. But many potential employees need stronger employability skills such as problem-solving, time management and adaptability.

“These... skills are important for an industry that has legitimate jobs and growth at various levels for the long term,” said Joshua, who delivers the Cyber Security class for stage 1 and 2 SACE students.

Demand for cybersecurity talent continues to outpace supply. According to the ACS Digital Pulse Report 2023, the number of South Australian tech workers focusing on cyber security is expected to double from 1,000 in 2022 to 2,000 by 2030. This reflects soaring demand in the technology industry. The most recent ACS report predicting the number of workers needed in the overarching South Australian technology industry will surge by more than 21,000 in the next 5 years.

Working together

Josh and Department for Education Industry Engagement Consultant Thomas Nowak worked with more than 20 students in the college’s cyber security class to co-design and deliver the Cyber Shift event. They provided support and structure while allowing students to lead the work.

Marden Senior College Principal Nikki Kotrotsos said by running the careers event, the students "take on roles where they collaborate and listen to each other to come up with creative solutions”.

“We’re very proud of the course, it offers a lot of in-depth real-world learning,” she said. “They really grow as learners and grow as people.”

Student Jinx, who put her hand up to MC the event, experienced the positive impact of the project.

“My whole life I've been really shy - not good at talking in front of people,” explains Jinx, who wants to pursue a career as a cyber architect, where she would design and implement secure network solutions to protect information systems from cyber threats.

"I'm really passionate about cyber and wanting to get into cyber. I thought being an MC would tie into getting knowledge about what's going on in the industry and get me out of my comfort zone and into something that will help me get into the industry.

“I got more confident with talking in front of people, which is a big help. And I gained connections with people in the cyber industry, which can hopefully help me get a job in the industry.”