ACS and VITTA Celebrate 2011 National ICT Careers Week
27th July, 2011: Inga Peulisch, Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Education joins the Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association (VITTA) and the Australian Computer Society (ACS) to celebrate the National ICT Careers Week held at Federation Square Melbourne.
The 2011 careers week runs from 25 July to 31 July across Australian, with over 80 participating organisations. One of the highlighted events on the day is the ICT and Careers Expo for students, teachers and parents to find out more about career opportunities available in the ICT sector. There are a number of activities for both primary and secondary students at the expo.
VITTA and ACS are committed to building community awareness of the importance of ICT in today’s technology rich age. ICT Week is now in its fifth year and has successfully raised the profile of ICT in all sectors of society and improved community awareness of the role of technology.
By running ICT Careers week, the aim is to inspire young people, including women, to think outside the traditional square of ICT studies and to consider ICT as a broad ranging and enjoyable pathway to practically any industry. ICT can offer an exciting and fulfilling professional career all over the world.
Ian Dennis, Chair of the ACS Victoria Branch said “The demand for ICT professionals will continue to increase in the next decade as the Digital Economy grows and as technology underpins more and more of our business and lifestyle outcomes. We need to encourage more young people into the ICT sector, and retain them for longer. This can be achieved by encouraging young people to enter ICT careers, catering for the mature worker and providing options for women to remain in the workforce for longer.
We also need to continue lifting the profile and the perceived value of the computing professional within the Australian economy and business culture.”
Penny Coulter, Chair, National ICT Careers Week said “If you are thinking about your future study and career, then use ICT to start and go anywhere.
ICT is about working with people, solving problems, finding solutions and making a difference to peoples’ lives. We currently have the National Broadband Network opening career pathways for ICT professionals to contribute towards innovation and make a difference to those people who live in isolation. Communication is at the heart of how we as individuals connect with one another and this is a wonderful example of how a career in IT telecommunications can make a real difference and can contribute to our society.
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Participating organisations host various events to demonstrate the value of ICT careers and the opportunities available to young students with an ICT qualification during careers week. Many activities are also held throughout 2011.
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About National ICT Careers Week
The National ICT Careers Week is hosted by the Australian Computer Society, the AIIA (Australian Information Industry Association), the ACS Foundation and the Australian Council of Deans for ICT who are all members of the Organising Committee.
The Week aims to get young people, their parents, their teachers excited about what ICT study and work has to offer. The week will also highlight the diverse range of information communications and technology (ICT) careers available.
Over 80 participating organisations have listed on their activities during the careers week on web site. The web site is being constantly updated with new registrants and ICT week activities. For more information about the National ICT Careers Week visit www.ictcareersweek.info
About the ACS
The ACS (Australian Computer Society) is the recognised professional association for those working in Information and Communications Technology, seeking to raise the standing of ICT professionals and represent their views to government, industry and the community. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the ICT sector, committed to ensuring the beneficial use of ICT for all Australians. It provides both members and non-members with opportunities for professional education, networking and certification, as well as enabling them to contribute to the development of their profession. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.