Teach our kids coding in schools as early as possible to capitalise on defence jobs, Labor leader Peter Malinauskas says

YOUNG students should start learning vital coding skills if they are to take advantage of lifelong job opportunities in shipbuilding and defence, the Opposition Leader says.

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YOUNG students should be taught vital coding skills to enable them to take advantage of a lifetime of job opportunities in shipbuilding and defence, the Opposition Leader says.

Peter Malinauskas argues that adding coding to the curriculum as early as possible is a “no-brainer” policy as the state prepares to capitalise on a $90 billion shipbuilding program.

Speaking as part of The Advertiser’s Future Adelaide series, Mr Malinauskas also listed an independent Naval Shipbuilding Authority and further “revitalisation” of Port Adelaide as key objectives.

“In terms of the build and sustainment, it is a 50-year pipeline of work,” he said of contracts to construct Future Submarines and Frigates at SA’s Techport shipyard.

“We are entirely capable of having a child that is born today starting their career out in this sector and finishing their career in this sector — that is how long the pipeline of work is.

“If that happens, that person would have worked in a presumably highly skilled job, with a remuneration that is commensurate … and a decent standard of living as a result.

“Because of the pipeline of the work, there is no reason why it shouldn’t also be an incredibly stable job.”

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has proposed to spend $25m training the nation’s teachers in computer coding if Labor wins office nationally, but Mr Malinauskas said the state did not “have to sit around waiting for a national curriculum”.

“If we can have a competitive advantage by investing in kids in a specific skill set younger, I think it’s a bit of a no-brainer,” he said.

Labor leader Peter Malinauskas. Picture: AAP /Kelly Barnes

And unlike trade skills — “because you don’t teach your child to be a boilermaker in reception” — the chances of securing a job in the burgeoning coding and cybersecurity fields “can be dramatically enhanced by what we’re actually doing at school age.”

Mr Malinauskas said an independent Naval Shipbuilding Authority should also be charged with ensuring all levels of government work together to capitalise on the investment.

It could make recommendations on local procurement to the suitability of education facilities or transport options and whether extra government funding was needed.

The activity at the Osborne shipyard will attract thousands more workers and residents to surrounding area.

Mr Malinauskas said this presented an opportunity to rival the port city of Fremantle in Western Australia.

“Anybody that has visited Port Adelaide recently, and hasn’t been there in a long time, comes away saying the place is full of potential,” he said.

“There’s been some progress but frankly I think we need to have more. I think Port Adelaide has the potential to shoot the lights out of Freo.”