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 now 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 strategic program to support the growth and development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based industries on the Gold Coast by:

developing a skilled local workforce
supporting the development of local STEM companies
promoting research and development in STEM products
establishing the Gold Coast as a world leader in STEM education, research and development and industry

The program has a number of objectives spread across six themes:

Advocacy: ensuring that Gold Coast City receives sufficient federal and state funding for science and technology projects.
Local Industry Development: building capacity in the local industry and encouraging linkages, cluster formation and research & development.
University Support: working with universities to increase participation rates, research and development funding and skills development.
Student Development: working with primary and secondary schools to increase the numbers of students undertaking maths, science and technology subjects.
Investment Attraction: encouraging company relocation and investment in the science and technology sectors, including research & development. Supporting local business through the Gold Coast Innovation Centre.
International Connections: leverage existing international connections to attract investment and encourage science and technology business and student development.

The TechGC Program focuses on two core projects:
STEM Industry Development Project
STEM Education Development Project

These projects are interrelated and aim to provide substantial support and development opportunities in STEM sectors over the next ten to fifteen years.

TechGC Industry Development Project

The TechGC Industry Development Project aims to build capacity in the local industry and encourage linkages, cluster formation and research and development in STEM sectors.

The project’s objectives include:

Increase in numbers of businesses in STEM sectors
Increase in export capacity is existing and new STEM-sector participants
Increase in pathways for students transitioning from secondary and tertiary education into STEM employment/businesses; and
Overall increase in knowledge based workforce in Gold Coast City.

In 2009/2010, the TechGC Industry Development Project is undertaking projects designed to increase opportunities to increase capacity and export opportunities for local businesses. Specific activities include:
STEM Industry Survey
TechGC Industry Roundtable
Electronic Games Industry Capability Audit
Virtual Trade Mission
 

TechGC Education Development Project

The TechGC School Development project aims to work with primary and secondary schools and tertiary providers in Gold Coast City to increase the numbers of students undertaking maths, science, engineering and technology subjects. The project focuses on providing support for STEM teachers and students, information on opportunities in STEM careers, support for STEM-based curricular and extra-curricular activities and the development of opportunities and pathways for students transitioning to tertiary study or employment.

In 2009/2010, the TechGC Education Development Project is undertaking projects designed to highlight and develop opportunities to participate in STEM activities and to encourage interest and involvement in further STEM education.

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 Development Project.

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