Blockchain technology has entered the Australian Federal Election, with Labor’s pledge to spend $3 million to establish a Blockchain Academy in Perth.
Academy to upskill thousands of developers
The Western Australian training hub is designed upskill thousands of workers for in demand blockchain jobs. According to a report released by the Australian Computer Society and Data61, every blockchain developer can expect to receive 14 different job opportunities.
Perth was selected as the site for the first Academy as it’s home to a growing startup community that includes many blockchain based businesses as well as the Blockchain Centre Perth. WA’s Power Ledger is even building a village with its own blockchain micro power and water grid in Freemantle.
“The Blockchain Academy will play a big part in skilling up young West Australians for jobs that are in high demand,” Labor’s digital economy spokesperson Ed Husic said.
“This will help Perth link up with other global cities like Singapore that are embracing blockchain technology and whose firms are keen to tap into the skills of their neighbours.”
ALP positioning itself as the party of the future
The announcement of the seed funding comes a week after Labor’s election promise to build a $4 million National Centre for Artificial Intelligence Excellence in Melbourne.
The ALP seems to be positioning itself as a party that is on the forefront of technology.
However, Liberal Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Liberal SA Premier Steven Marshall are also enthusiastic blockchain advocates. Last year they threw their support behind plans to create a major blockchain precinct in Adelaide, South Australia.
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