As programming, computing and technology skills become part of the essential skill sets for school leavers, demand for teaching in these areas is taking off.

But the Department of Education has closed the MacICT Innovation Centre, its unique 15-year-old joint venture with Macquarie University that has been a pioneer in the area.

MacICT has been the state's only teacher training facility in computing and technology since its founding in 2001.

The closure comes as the two senior level courses in computing offered by the Board of Studies have declined dramatically in popularity over the past 15 years, even as digital technology has become an indispensable part of life for most people.