Austria has a shortage of thousands of IT and computer science specialists. The Salzburg University of Applied Sciences and the Hacker School Austria support the next generation with practical programming workshops. Students like Leo Katzengruber from the MultiMediaTechnology degree programme inspire young people to pursue digital careers.
According to the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, there is currently a shortage of around 28,000 IT specialists in the Austrian economy. An important lever to counteract this shortage is to get young people interested in IT topics at an early age and to attract them to careers in this field. Inspiring role models such as FH Salzburg student Leo Katzengruber play a central role in this. The dedicated student teaches young people about programming on a voluntary basis.
‘I'm studying Media Informatics on the MultiMediaTechnology programme and I'd like to pass on my enthusiasm for new technologies. I teach young people between the ages of 11 and 18 as part of a free course that we offer in cooperation with the Hacker School Austria. I really enjoy seeing them gain their first programming experience and understand what is possible with it. My aim is to awaken their interest in computer science and give them valuable skills for their digital future,’ explains Katzengruber.
Partnership for digital skills of the future
The Department of Creative Technologies at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences has launched a partnership with the Hacker School Austria to get young people interested in programming and teach them essential digital skills.
As part of this partnership, 11 students from the MultiMediaTechnology degree programme are involved in the Hacker School courses as so-called ‘inspirers’. Each of them will accompany at least five workshops and teach practical content.
In the four-hour workshops held directly at schools, the students will immerse themselves in the world of programming in a practical way - from taking their first steps with Scratch, Python or HTML to dealing with artificial intelligence or the basics of cybersecurity. The concept of the Hacker School is: ‘We Inspire’. The aim is not only to teach young people how to programme, but also to get them excited about the possibilities of the digital world and the associated careers of the future.
About the Hacker School Austria
Hacker School Austria is a non-profit organisation that brings young people together with volunteer IT professionals. The proven concept, which has been successful in Germany for over ten years, has been adapted for Austria. The courses are open to all young people - regardless of their previous knowledge or financial means.
The Hacker School programmes not only promote digital skills, but also important 21st century skills such as problem solving, teamwork and creativity. Special formats such as the GIRLS Hacker School and school programmes such as Hacker School @yourschool PLUS focus specifically on supporting girls and socio-economically disadvantaged young people.