Introduction
Information Technology Occupations and Training
(i) Information Technology
Working with computers and information technology (IT) can be both exciting
and challenging. Computers are concerned primarily with the processing of
information, which is found in many forms including information required
for business transactions, booking seats for travel or entertainment, information
on materials and products made during the manufacturing process, or information
required to monitor and control the operation of complex processes or satellite
systems. Computers also may be used to control devices which help the physically
handicapped, or to map networks or pipelines or electricity wires, or to
provide detailed maps of land use from information collected by satellite
observation. An important new application is the development of 'expert'
systems which utilise the knowledge (information) obtained from an expert
to advise other persons what should be done. The effective use of information
has become crucial in the management of most businesses and industries.
Consequently information is now regarded as a major resource, just as people
are an important resource, in most enterprises.
IT professionals have a crucial and challenging part to play in the
effective application of computers and computing technology to achieve
effective processing of information. The ever-growing list of activities
to which computing is applied and the importance of information processing
generally have created excellent employment opportunities for persons
who obtain appropriate qualifications in IT. In Australia, employment
opportunities in IT are now better than they are for graduates in any
other discipline. Excellent opportunities for IT graduates also are to
be found in most other parts of the world.
(ii) The Work of an IT Professional
Most professional IT work can be classified into three broad areas:
* Information Systems
* Computer System Engineering
* Computer Science
The majority of employment opportunities occur in the application of computers
to create business information systems. In some countries up to eighty or
ninety percent of professional computing positions will be in this area.
Because graduates will be concerned with business systems, it is highly
desirable they also have a background in accountancy or management to supplement
their training in computer technology. The graduate will be concerned with
designing and implementing systems which collect information from customers
or other business transactions, validate the data for accuracy, store the
data in a safe place on a computer system, ensure the data is protected
from unauthorised access or lost due to accident, and provide reports to
management at any time when it is requested. An important new activity is
the development of expert, or knowledge-based systems.
A second important area is the application of computers in a wide range
of industrial control problems. Examples include the control of complex
machinery in a manufacturing operation (Computer Integrated Manufacturing),
or the control of operations in a steel mill, an oil refinery, or an electricity
distribution system. Computer systems of this type require the design
of special computer hardware from supplied components and the writing
of specialised software to interact with the industrial control system.
Graduates working in this area should have a degree in computer systems
engineering. The demand for graduates in this area is growing rapidly.
The third main area of interest is in the field of computer science
where the graduate may undertake research into the design of specialised
hardware or software. The objective is to develop techniques which will
enable the information systems specialist or the computer systems engineer
to apply computer technology more effectively.
Because of the importance of information and the crucial role it plays
in many organisations, many computing professionals become well informed
on the operations of a company. That, together with their training, makes
them good candidates for management positions at later stages in their
careers.
(iii) Supporting Occupations Accredited
Although the major tasks involved in Information Technology require graduates,
there are many supporting positions at a paraprofessional level which may
require specific technical training in some aspect of Information Technology
and related subjects. Appropriate certificate and associate diploma courses
are available through TAFE (Technical And Further Education) colleges in
Australia. Such positions may include computer operations management, data
control clerks, programming of small applications, or undertaking computing
activities for a small organisation under guidance from Information Technology
professionals.
Most persons undertaking degree courses at Australian higher education
institutions will undertake studies on the application of Information
Technology in their major field of study. This is to ensure that they
can make effective use of Information Technology in their chosen profession
on graduation. An increasing number of personnel in many organizations
are making use of specialized programming languages and report writers
to process information without the help of an Information Technology professional.
(iv) Types of Courses Available
A person who is interested in business applications of Information Technology
should take a degree in information systems. Such courses are available
at universities. While most of these courses are of three years duration,
a few of them include one or more periods of industrial experience which
may extend the course to more than three years duration for an ordinary
degree.
A computer systems engineer, who must understand both the hardware and
software aspects of computer technology, requires a four year degree in
computer or computer systems engineering which is available at some universities.
Computer science degrees, either three years for an ordinary degree
or four years for an honours degree, prepare students for a career in
computer science. These courses are available in the computer science
departments of most universities.
Four year honours courses are available in IT in many universities.
Masters and doctorate level courses are also available for those wishing
to study IT at a higher level.
For persons who have already completed a degree in another discipline,
the most appropriate course is a graduate diploma which may be taken at
some universities. These courses are equivalent to one year full time
study, although most of them are only available on a two or three year
part time schedule. They include graduate diplomas in computer science,
computing, systems analysis, information systems, knowledge-based systems,
and a wide variety of specialised sub-areas of IT.
Associate diploma courses or two years full time study are available
in many TAFE colleges and some universities.
Professional Recognition
(i) The Australian Computer Society Incorporated
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) which has over 15,000 members, is
the major organisation for IT professionals in Australia. One of the prime
concerns of the Society is to ensure that both employers and employees recognise
the importance of professional competence and ethics in all work associated
with information technology. This requires appropriate qualifications and
training for persons entering the IT profession, relevant experience and
varied job opportunities, and considerable continuing education supported
by the employer to maintain professional competence in a discipline which
is still undergoing rapid change.
Admission to the ACS professional grades of membership (Associate or
Member) requires a person to have appropriate qualifications and experience,
as well as a commitment to abide by the Society's Code of Ethics The qualification
may be either a qualification in IT which is accredited or recognised
by the ACS, or a degree in another discipline (such as business or accountancy)
which is appropriate to the application of Information technology being
undertaken. Persons without an Information Technology qualification are
encouraged to undertake studies in IT, such as a suitable graduate diploma
course.
Because knowledge about information technology is still expanding rapidly,
it is important that IT professionals continue to learn throughout their
careers. It should be both an employer and employee expectation to undertake
continuing education courses in various forms, either at academic institutions,
through publicly available seminars and conferences or the ACS Certification
Scheme. IT professionals also should undertake studies in management or
in the fields of application of IT that are relevant to their daily work,
such as accountancy, business, or any other appropriate discipline.
(ii) ACS Course Accreditation
The procedures for ACS accreditation are published in the booklet Guidelines
for Course Accreditation, obtainable from the ACS. The Society does not
formally accredit honours and masters degrees in computing disciplines,
which are normally recognised as Level 1 qualifications.
The date shown in brackets after the course identification is the date
of accreditation or re-accreditation. Symbols placed by the qualification
level for a course have the following meanings:
$ accreditation statement added or modified during the last 3 years;
* provisional accreditation, subject to further investigation or complete
implementation of the course
Previously accredited courses have been listed in:
- Northcote, Robert S. (Ed.) Computing Courses in Australia (6th edition,
1986), Australian Computer Society.
- Northcote, Robert S. "Tertiary Courses Accredited by the ACS", Australian
Computer Bulletin, 7, No.8 (September, 1983), pp.30-34, Australian Computer
Society.
- Northcote, Robert S, "ACS - Knowledge Standards", Australian Computer
Bulletin, 2, No.9 (October, 1978), pp.9-13, Australian Computer Society.
Courses listed therein as satisfying the knowledge requirements for
the grades of Member and Associate are deemed to satisfy qualification
Levels 2 and 3, respectively, under the current course assessment criteria.
(iii) ACS Examination in Information Technology (Previously Computing)
A person who has not completed an accredited IT qualification, or obtained
a degree in a relevant application discipline, may wish to sit the ACS Examination
in Information Technology. The Examination is offered in June and November
each year at examination centres throughout Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong,
Singapore, Sri Lanka and other centres by arrangement. Further details,
including a copy of the Syllabus, may be obtained from the ACS. Preparation
for the Examination may be undertaken by a combination of private study,
courses taken at TAFE colleges, or courses given by some private providers.
The equivalent of at least 12 months full-time study is required for most
persons attempting the Examination, which currently comprises the four papers:
* Basic Computer Concepts
* Programming Techniques
* Systems Analysis and Design
* Data Management and Data Communications
As from 1st January 1997 there will be six papers available. Details of
the papers are:
Mandatory
Paper 1: Fundamentals of Information Technology - Part 1
Paper 2: Fundamentals of Information Technology - Part 2
Plus any two of the following:
Paper 3: Programming and Software Technology
Paper 4: Systems Analysis and Design
Paper 5: Data Management
Paper 6: Data Communications and Systems Architecture