MORE than 17,000 kids have now signed up to Code Club Australia's Moonhack hackathon taking place this Friday, a global event which encourages children to learn how to code so they are prepared for the future.

The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2020, more than 5 million jobs in 15 major developed countries will be lost to automation. Within Australia it has been predicted that 40% of jobs will become automated within the next 10-20 years.

"Our mission is to ensure that all children are given the chance to learn to code. Our Moonhack campaign is an opportunity to set a world record, with our aim being to get as many kids as possible coding over a twenty four hour period,” Code Club Australia, General Manager, Dr Louise Baker said.　

"We cannot afford to wait, we must ensure that every young Australian is afforded the same opportunity to be competitive and have the technological skills to compete in the global market place.”

Around 49% of the 17,000 Australian kids registered are girls.

67% of those registered from a diverse number of countries, from USA, Bangladesh, Canada, Israel, NZ, India, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Brazil, Ireland, Hungary and Italy.　　

"Last year more than 28,500 kids from around the globe participated in this free event and this year we are hoping for a new record,” Dr Baker said.　

"The economy of the future will rely heavily on people with specialist knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), but in addition, our children will require skills in entrepreneurship, art and design. Many children, particularly those in regional and remote areas, aren't able to access the skills they need for the future.”　

The reality of ensuring every Australian child has access to these new skills, particularly in regional and rural areas is critical when you consider reports from The Foundation for Young Australians which has identified that in the near future approximately 90% of jobs in Australia will require computer skills.

Brad Delamare, CEO of leading Australian Fin-tech Hub, Tank Stream Labs said, "Digital disruption has rapidly changed the world but also provide a new world of entrepreneurial opportunities. For the next generation of Australians to be competitive, we must urgently invest in the tech skills needed to compete in the new global market.”

Jackie Coates, Head of the Telstra Foundation, Code Club Australia's founding funder, encouraged parents across Australia to get on board and organise a Moonhack mission control in their homes or local schools.

"Digital technology is changing every aspect of our lives and computer coding is the language of the 21st Century. At the Telstra Foundation we're passionate building the skills our kids need to prepare them for the jobs of the future,” Ms Coates said.

"The best thing about Code Club is that it breaks down the myth that computer coding is hard and complex - it's actually fun and through Moonhack something parents can do with their kids,” Ms Coates added.　

"The Future of Work”, a report by the Regional Australia Institute, estimated that 1 in 2 future jobs will require "skills such as programming, software development and skills to build digital technology”.　

"We need to put greater emphasis on the need for coding, and on the anniversary of the first moon landing (20 July), we want to get tens of thousands of parents, teachers, communities, and most importantly, children, enthusiastic about coding,” Dr Baker said.