Optus has combined resources with the New South Wales Government to bring information and communication technology (ICT) training to over 200 Year 9-11 school students from disadvantaged areas of NSW.

A series of training courses known as e-Summer Schools will commence in January 2002, and will be conducted by TAFE NSW. Optus will be the major sponsor, holding a place on the e-Summer School Steering Committee.

Chris Hancock, Managing Director of Optus Business, said the NSW Government and Optus were working together to deliver ICT skills to NSW students.

"When the Premier approached us about this project, we realised we had a shared passion for optimising the future - both the future of ICT in this state, and the future of the students who participate in the e-Summer Schools.

"Optus is committed to giving these students a head start in our industry.

"The e-Summer Schools complement Optus's existing joint venture with TAFE NSW for telecommunications diploma courses, helping to build the ICT skills pool in this state.

"And the schools will act as a funnel for our own entry-level recruitment needs," Mr Hancock said.

e-Summer Schools will provide students who have the potential for a career in ICT with an opportunity to gain new skills. Around 16 schools will be held across New South Wales, in areas including Western and South-Western Sydney, the Hunter, Illawarra and other major regional centres.

Based on a successful model used in Colorado in the United States, students will be given a cash scholarship to attend the school and will be given training that could lead to a vocational qualification.

Bob Carr, Premier of NSW, said the e-Summer Schools will not only provide opportunities and training for talented students from disadvantaged areas, but they will also help address factors identified in the Premier"s ICT Skills Forum in 2000.

"We have initiated the e-Summer Schools to enhance the future pool of IT skilled specialists in NSW, as well as to ensure students in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas have access to ICT training.

"By 2003-2004, it is anticipated that there will be a demand for more than 180,000 ICT specialists Australia-wide, so these e-Summer Schools are timely and relevant.

"Today's school students will be tomorrow"s ICT specialists," Mr Carr said.

For more information:
Linda Collard
Optus
Phone: 02 9342 5045