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Leadership Group To Encourage Participation in ICT Skills and Work |
| Monday, 18 December 2006 - Peak
information and communication technology (ICT) associations, the Australian
Information Industry Association (AIIA) and the Australian Computer
Society (ACS) have established the Industry Leadership Group to develop
and facilitate participation in ICT study and careers as recommended
in the 2006 Building Australian ICT Skills Report of the ICT Skills
Foresighting Working Group.
Joining the Industry Leadership Group are organisations representing federal and state governments, school, vocation education, and tertiary education providers, ICT and business associations, the ICT research community, and women in ICT (see full list below). AIIA’s Chief Executive Officer Ms Sheryle Moon said, “A pivotal issue identified in the Report was the lack of public and private sector co-operation on many of the workforce issues challenging the ICT industry”. “The Working Group recommendations provide a real opportunity for AIIA and the ACS to make significant progress on key ICT workforce issues. Both associations are committed to demonstrating leadership to ensure we can capture the imaginations of the next generation of ICT workers,” Ms Moon said. ACS Chief Executive Officer Mr Dennis Furini said, “The continued development of a skilled ICT workforce will play a critical role in either limiting or facilitating industry growth in the coming decade – and establishing the Group is a step in the right direction.” “The inaugural meeting of the Group has been now held and I am pleased to say that all organisations participating have indicated their strong support for collaborative action,” said Ms Moon. “Work is now underway to commence implementing the Report’s key recommendations to develop and facilitate improved ICT information and participation in ICT occupations and careers.” “AIIA and ACS are very pleased with the strong endorsement by our Group colleagues for determined action to develop long-term strategies which will ensure our industry has the necessary skills for the future,” Mr Furini said. “This will include skills for the growth and development of our industry and skills for the application of ICT right across our economy.” The Group will also support an alliance partner program as the inclusive device to enable those groups to contribute, participate and share in the overall objectives of this initiative. The Group recognises the many committees, organisations and agencies which have well-developed interests in, and activities designed to attract people to ICT study and work. According to ACS President, Philip Argy, the organisations will be working on a broad front to follow up on the Reports’s recommendations, especially improving the image of ICT as a career and identifying clear pathways from education to careers. “The ACS is committed to addressing the nation’s ICT skill shortages, which is highlighted by our cooperation with AIIA. The only way to help improve and alleviate the industry’s skill shortage is for the industry, federal and state governments and education providers to work together,” Mr Argy explained. Mr Argy acknowledged the support of federal and state governments in funding past initiatives in attracting people to ICT study and work and added that without the ongoing support from the federal and state governments, it would be difficult to implement the recommendations outlined in the Building Australian ICT Skills Report. AIIA’s Chairman, Peter Kazacos also emphasised the importance of attracting the most talented people to the industry. “Building and maintaining a world-class ICT workforce is necessary to meet the current and future needs of the economy. ICT is becoming more pervasive and more embedded in every aspect of human activity. So, we are going to need more people with ICT skills, not fewer,” said Mr Kazacos. “The ICT industry is currently worth 4.6 per cent of the nation’s GDP, and we must fight for our fair share of talent to ensure that Australia continues to enjoy strong productivity, economic and social benefits from ICT,” concluded Ms Moon. - ends – In February 2005, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan, established the ICT Skills Foresighting Working Group to consider the Australian ICT labour market. The Report’s seven recommendations are:
The Report of the Working Group was endorsed by Minister Coonan and
released at the National ICT Skills Summit in Brisbane in June 2006.
A copy of this Report is available on the Department’s website: Participating organisations Australian Computer Society 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. About the ACS Foundation: An initiative of the Australian Computer Society (ACS) the ACS Foundation was established in August 2001 to encourage both private and public sponsorship of IT scholarships, higher education and research projects. The ACS Foundation receives funding from more than 150 sponsors – including ICT companies, industry associations, Government bodies, individuals and the ACS itself. Since the ACS Foundation’s inception, it has raised over $7.6 million in cash and in-kind sponsorship for scholarships and research, awarding more than 550 scholarships to high achievers and people who are disadvantaged in some way. About the Australian Information Industry Association |
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