Putting the ‘Industry’ in our GISP for ICT careers

The Gateway to Industry School’s Program (GISP) is a leading initiative from the Queensland Government for opening career pathways for year 7 to 12 students across twelve Industry-focused projects. With a forecast gap of 1.3 million workers*, but a wage that sits $21 an hour more than the average**, it is clear why the ICT sector has been chosen as one of these key GISP Industries.

The ICT GISP then, is delivered by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and is now entering its sixth year of operation. In 2024, over 8,000 students were reached, and in 2025, funding covers direct backing for 53 schools around the state, as well as support, advice and events for many more. 

Despite this success with schools, the true goal of the project is to ensure that links are made from the classroom to the real world of work – and it is this component that is made possible by Industry partners. With over fifty organisations contributing to the ICT GISP, there are way too many to mention here – but this article aims to share two examples as way of thanking them all, and highlighting the vital impact this kind of quiet support has. (Future articles are planned to detail further stories). 

Micromelon Robotics have been involved with ICT GISP for over four years, and are a true Queensland success story. Founded in 2017 by Adam Stacey and Tim Hadwen to make teaching engineering and robotics in schools simpler and more aligned with the attributes required by industry, they are well known nationally for their classroom-friendly and sensor-packed Micromelon Rovers. These robots can be used from prep all the way through to senior secondary school and university classes, with robust teacher tools, and the ability to extend them via add on electronics and 3D printing. Micromelon have also grown to now deliver custom 3D printing filament blends, software for EV charging, and hardware for smart farming and medical devices. 

For ICT GISP – it is their online robotics simulator that has been a game changer. For schools that select it, this platform allows for a full coding and problem-solving experience from anywhere, with no hardware required. Micromelon have generously helped make this platform accessible for ICT GISP schools, and are also opening up invites soon for schools to visit their new HQ to see rover PCB boards being manufactured in person. As Micromelon Director Adam Stacey says, “It is brilliant to see so many students getting excited about robotics and how versatile it can be as a career. Our partnership with ACS and ICT GISP means thousands more students get the chance to use these tools and we are excited to see the program continue.”

Gameloft Brisbane represents the local arm of this internationally successful game development studio, and has supported ICT GISP teachers and ACS on several occasions. Since 2014, their portfolio of Queensland-made games has encompassed multi-award-winning titles such as ‘My Little Pony: Mane Merge’, ‘The Oregon Trail™’, and in 2025, the launch of Netflix’s ‘Carmen San Diego’. They are especially focused on cultivating a workplace that supports mentorship opportunities, industry speaking events, and nurturing leadership and entrepreneurship.

Not only have Gameloft Brisbane made their game industry career resources available to ICT GISP schools, but they personally host tours and industry Q&A’s for Teachers at their rooftop outdoor level. This year will see ten educators visit in May to learn first hand what careers their students can go on to, and what a modern workplace in the Industry looks like. “ ____”

Micro Melon and Gameloft Brisbane, like all the ICT GISP partners, are doing their bit to support the classroom to Industry pipeline. Thanks from ACS and GISP as well as all the students and teachers you are impacting.

* https://www.acs.org.au/campaign/digital-pulse.html

** https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2025/tech-workers-the-highest-paid-in-australia.html#:~:text=Australian%20tech%20workers%20are%20the%20highest%20paid%20in,%2420%20more%20per%s20hour%20than%20the%20average%20employee 

Article written by Jonathan Nalder, ICT GISP Program Manager