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TechGC

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What is TechGC?

Gold Coast City is the sixth largest city in Australia and is the fastest growing region in Queensland. By 2037, the Gold Coast’s population will be approximately 840,000.

To accommodate its growth, the Gold Coast must deliver 230,000 new jobs by 2037.

A 2002 report compiled by KPMG, into the Gold Coast’s position in the state and national economies, found that the cities focus on the service based industries of tourism, retail and construction had resulted in a lack of economic diversity, a reliance on imports into the city and a lack of high value-added activities.

This reliance has exposed the city to the vulnerabilities of a narrow economic base and therefore open to the vagaries of boom and bust cycles and to national and international impacts.


TechGC Program

Initiated in 2009, the TechGC program is a long term strategy managed by Council's Economic Development Branch = Business Gold Coast - in order to support the growth and development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based industries on the Gold Coast.

The TechGC program is at the leading edge of Australian local government initiatives and comprises three key actions:

• Industry capacity development

• STEM-based labour supply development

• Facilitation of a local science centre

The program aims to develop a skilled local workforce, support the development of local STEM companies, promote research and development in STEM products and establish the Gold Coast as a world leader in STEM education, research and development and industry.

Business Gold Coast implements a well-established Economic Development Strategy that focuses on diversifying the economy and

STEM are key enablers for many aspects of a more diversified economy. Development of skills and industry capacity in STEM

 

Industry Capacity Development

A range of factors have supported Gold Coast growth, including the city’s natural attributes, lifestyle opportunities and an open and welcoming business environment. In addition, population-based

industries such as construction, retailing and service industries have driven regional economic prosperity, generating significant employment in unison with the city’s tourism-led development.

Recent economic shocks have reinforced the need to continue with measures outlined in the Economic Development Strategy in diversifing the economic base.

Through the attraction of new business to the region supported by an investment attraction program and the development of the existing industry base, Gold Coast will develop increased capacity in STEM based industries.

STEM-based Labour Supply Development

In order to increase the provision of higher education and STEM educational demand from school to university to employment, TechGC initiatives aim to improve educational pathways and inter-generational aspirations.

For the Gold Coast to develop capacity in STEM-based labour supply, efforts are also focused around promoting Gold Coast

As a result, it is anticipated this will provide a boost to STEM-based industry growth and generate knowledge-based industry diversity meaning an increase in the attainment of qualifications.

Universities and training organisations as leading and desirable institutions at which to undertake STEM-based programs.

 

Gold Coast Science Centre Facilitation

The Gold Coast City Council is committed to supporting culture and the arts on the Gold Coast and it has been recognised that Gold Coast requires community and science oriented facilities that are normally found in major cities. The TechGC steering committee will be strongly advocating for the development of a science centre located within the proposed Cultural Precinct.

The proposed cultural precinct will capture the imagination of our community and enrich the lives of all those who visit. It will promote and nurture creativity and diversity of our community, helping to reinforce the Gold Coast as a great place to live and visit.

It is anticipated a Gold Coast Science Centre Facilitation would contribute to the social, academic and economic vitality of the

Higher Education Aspirations Project

Initiated in 2008, the Higher Education Aspirations Project (HEAP) aims to increase the qualification levels of the Gold Coast through

The HEAP is a long-term plan to progressively improve the Gold Coast qualifications and skills base; the creation of the jobs and business opportunities will be the prime objective with a focus on

 

Linkages

The TechGC program links with other projects and programs within Gold Coast City Council’s Economic Development branch, including the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, the Gold Coast Innovation Centre and the Higher Education Aspirations Project.


Download the factsheet

implementing a range of strategies based on taking advantage of educational and employment opportunities as well gaining community support. education, research and development to support aspirations and quality of life. city by supporting development of both industry capacity and STEM-based labour supply. It would serve as an attractive tourist destination while also improving public science literacy, which is critical to the city’s aspirations of moving to a stronger knowledge based economy. export orientated and knowledge-based sector in order to produce sustainable outcomes. directly provides foundations for a multitude of major economic activity within knowledge-based sectors. In the broader context, the enabling aspects of STEM also fuel the further development of skills and qualification characteristics of the workforce and develop positive community attitudes towards the value of higher education skills and qualifications.


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