What is the National ICT Skills Challenge?

The ICT industry across Australia is now working to address current and future ICT skills shortages. There has been much debate about the extent of ICT skills shortages and this is sure to continue with rapid advances in technology and dynamic shifts in skills demand.

While an immediate need to address the decline of enrolments in core ICT courses has been identified, the globalisation of the employment market and the image of the industry are also key contributing factors.

In June 2006, the Queensland Government hosted the National ICT Skills Summit to facilitate a stakeholder consensus on the best way to move forward and address these issues. The Summit attracted industry leaders, academics, policy makers and educators from around Australia, who are now working together in a concerted effort to address Australia’s ICT skills needs.

Where to now?

There is a clear imperative for increased and genuine engagement between ICT industry stakeholders, in particular between industry and education institutions. A whole-of-industry approach will be required to secure future ICT skills needs. This will be supported by a genuine spirit of engagement and cooperation at both the state and federal government level.

Areas of initial focus will include:

The image of the ICT industry and ICT careers
Introducing professional standards in the ICT work place
The articulation of clearer education and career pathways.

For further information on the Skills Summit and the Skills Challenge, contact Catherine Abraham on 07 3405 5111.

Last updated: Tuesday, June 17, 2008