ACS Welcomes AIIA Support on Education Issue
Monday 21 May 2001 - The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has endorsed the conclusions of a report released last week by the Australian Information Industries Association (AIIA) which showed that the shortage of ICT professionals is major factor constraining the contribution the ICT industry makes to the Australian economy.
ACS President John Ridge said he was delighted to see the AIIA as the industry body coming into step with the professional society on the issue of ICT education and the need for more university places.
"While we acknowledge the ICT is wide-ranging, requiring people with various skill levels, we welcome this move by the AIIA to support the needs of IT professionals and to recognise the value of university education," he said.
"Australia has unfortunately developed a culture that tends to favour vendor certified ICT courses over the broader, more in-depth undergraduate and postgraduate studies courses provided by the university system.
"As the professional society for those working in IT, we are encouraged to see the industry promoting the message that more highly trained and skilled IT professionals are what our industry needs to move forward and fulfil its potential," said Mr Ridge.
"While we question estimates of a current skills shortage of up to 60,000 unfilled positions in Australia, there is no doubt that some skills are in short supply. An increase in the number of fully-trained professionals capable of applying their knowledge and expertise to a range of ICT-related positions will help to ease the situation."
Mr Ridge said the ACS welcomed and endorsed the AIIA's call for increased government funding, not only for more university places, but also for the qualified academics and infrastructure to support those additional students.
"We would also like to see increased funding for Australians participating in post-graduate ICT studies, since this is an area where Australia compares poorly with other OECD nations. We really need to develop a culture that values post-graduate qualifications if we are to achieve our potential as a nation of innovators," he said.
This media release is available on the ACS Web site at http://www.acs.org.au/news/210501.htm
ENDS
The Australian Computer Society is the recognised association for information technology (IT) professionals, attracting a large and active membership (15,000) from all levels of the IT industry and providing a wide range of services to Members. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the public voice of the IT profession and the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the IT industry, with a commitment to the wider community to ensure the beneficial use of IT.See the ACS Home Page for more information. Media Enquiries:
John Ridge, ACS President, Tel: (02) 9223 9499 or (0407) 913 992, Email: jridge@mra.com.au
Caroline New, Caroline New PR, Tel: (02) 9980 8060 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au
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