Empowering North Queensland students through tech industry connections
Highlights
- The Information and Communication Technology Gateway to Industry Schools Project Creating pathways between the tech industry and student opportunities in North Queensland
On Tuesday, September 22, a diverse group of ICT teachers, VET coordinators, careers advisors, and ACS members came together at Cairns-based tech innovator AirBridge Networks for the latest ICT Gateway to Industry Schools – Educator to Industry tour.
Founded in 2016 by Doug Stephens, AirBridge Networks is solving regional connectivity challenges by designing and manufacturing enterprise-grade remote network solutions. The company’s flagship product, the ARNI™, is developed locally and integrates multiple Starlink and SIM solutions to deliver resilient, high-performance connectivity across sectors including Emergency Services, Healthcare, Agriculture, Tourism, Mining, Government, and Small Business. Their solutions are now being deployed not only across Australia but also internationally.
These Educator to Industry tours are designed to strengthen the link between schools and the local tech sector, ensuring secondary ICT educators and careers advisors stay current with industry trends, skill demands, and career opportunities. By connecting directly with tech leaders, educators can better align classroom learning with real-world ICT careers.
This visit included teachers and Heads of IT from Bentley Park State High School and Cairns State High School, as well as representatives from James Cook University’s Ideas Lab, including an ACS Young Tech Ambassador and a current JCU IT student.
Attendees had the opportunity to see AirBridge’s suitcase and trailer-mounted ARNI™ systems in action—technologies actively supporting remote communities and disaster response teams across Australia. The group also engaged in discussions around industry qualification pathways and the growing career opportunities in the regional tech space.
Luke, Head of IT at Bentley Park State High School, shared:
“Our visit to AirBridge Networks, organised by Jonathan Nalder from the ACS Gateway to Industry Schools Program, opened our eyes to the incredible innovation happening right here in Cairns — a place where we can now imagine future careers for Bentley Park College students.”
Jay Davis, Digital Workforce Developer at JCU and founder of Raising Indigenous Voices in IT, added:
“It’s truly inspiring to see a company like AirBridge Networks thrive and choose to keep its base in Cairns, despite having offices in major cities. For local students and tech enthusiasts, this proves that real tech opportunities exist beyond Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane.”
A big thank you to Doug, Jordan, and Katrina from AirBridge for generously sharing their insights, innovations, and passion for building tech solutions that make a real difference.
🔗 Learn more about AirBridge Networks at AirBridge.net.au
The Information and Communication Technology Gateway to Industry Schools Project builds vital connections between schools, industry, government, and local communities to help shape Queensland’s future ICT workforce. The program addresses the critical need for emerging tech talent and is proudly supported by the Queensland Government and delivered by the Australian Computer Society.
👉 Learn more at qldictgisp.acs.org.au