ACS Responds to 2011-12 Federal Budget
11 May, 2011: The Australian Computer Society (ACS) today welcomed the investment in skills and education in the 2011 Federal Budget while renewing calls for a detailed ICT strategy to address the issues that challenge Australia’s future economic prosperity.
ACS President Anthony Wong said, “There is a welcome focus on skills in this year’s budget, including the announcement of an additional 16,000 skilled migrants to help alleviate regional Australia’s ongoing skills issues. While skilled migration is encouraging to many businesses and communities, appropriate standards of practice should be applied to co-regulation between industry, the ICT profession and government. ICT skills underpin the digital economy – Australia’s most critical blue sky growth opportunity.
“Given ICT’s growing significance to the economy with the rollout of the NBN, attention needs to be paid to skills shortages within the ICT sector. We welcome ongoing dialogue with the government in this area to assist with relevant skills matching.
“We are also mindful that skilled migration is a short-term measure. In addressing our longer-term needs, Australia does not attract or produce enough students proficient in ICT skills to realise the potential of the NBN and the digital economy. We would like to see focus given to the national ICT curriculum to prepare the workforce of the future. We are encouraged by proposals to increase awareness of science and engineering within Australian schools and the community, however we would like to see a similar framework established for ICT awareness.
“The ACS is pleased to see funding for apprenticeships and mentoring. In the ICT sector, industry experience is key to employee productivity and growth. We would like to see more attention from the government, academia and industry to provide industry experience for ICT graduates,” said Mr Wong.
Mr Wong also noted that although significant investment was being directed to some health areas, greater clarity is required regarding investment in the critical take up of online health services.
“We are keen to see detail on the e-Health plan when the Government releases its Digital Economy strategy later this month. This is a critical area of focus in leveraging the NBN investment.
“We also look forward to the release of the strategy to articulate the education frameworks to ensure every Australian can participate in the Digital Economy as the NBN rolls out. The digital divide will most greatly affect seniors and other disadvantaged groups who don’t have the skills or the circumstances to participate. The framework will also help business and key stakeholder groups to develop a detailed awareness of NBN applications such as teleworking and telehealth. The benefits of NBN projects to Australians, including social, environmental and economic impacts, must be identified, reviewed and monitored with public benefit tracking.
“We look forward to the release of the National Digital Economy Strategy at the end of May and are keen to see it include investment into digital productivity pilot projects for e-health and e-education especially for those unable to venture far from their residence,” said Mr Wong.
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About the ACS
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) 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.