Introducing students to computer science has never been more critical to prepare them for the jobs of the future. While none of us know exactly what those jobs will look like, we do know they will require a greater ability to understand and engage in computational thinking and coding - across every sector. From medicine to mining, from fashion to food production, every industry is being transformed by computer science, and graduates are in high demand.

With many countries starting to focus on teaching computer science and coding in schools it is critical that we have development opportunities for teachers to equip and inspire them with the skills they need to encourage the next generation of innovators. Google’s CS4HS program has been equipping teachers in New Zealand since 2011 by providing grants for hands on workshops for teachers. Through our free online courses through Adelaide University and our CS4HS workshops we’ve seen thousands of teachers inspired and equipped to implement this new curriculum.

Applications are now open for our 2016 CS4HS program in Australia and New Zealand and are open until 26 February 2016.

If you want to know where computer science can take today’s students, check out Careers with Code. In the future, young Kiwis will use computer science to do great things, and it will all start with a great teacher with a passion for the topic.

Posted by Sally-Ann Williams, Engineering Community & Outreach Manager, Google Australia & New Zealand