ACS Promotes ICT Professionalism for the Public Service

Friday 27 September 2002 - The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has presented a submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Reference Committee calling for greater emphasis on professionalism amongst public sector IT professionals.

ACS Chief Executive Dennis Furini was questioned by the committee this morning as part of its enquiry into Australian Public Service recruitment and training.

He presented a raft of recommendations, chief of which was that the Government establish recruitment guidelines for IT professionals detailing appropriate qualifications, working experience and undertakings.

"We value the invitation to contribute to this enquiry and have taken the opportunity to highlight the increasingly strategic role being played by IT professionals in enabling Government communications, transactions and the delivery of products and services.

"In recognition of their important role, we believe recruitment guidelines for IT professionals should include the ACS Core Body of Knowledge and Code of Ethics as well as our Code of Professional Conduct and Professional Practice," Mr Furini said.

"A commitment to a code of ethics and code of professional conduct are essential in terms of ensuring that IT-related work is always carried out to the highest possible standard, bearing in mind any potential impact on the organisation and the wider community."

Mr Furini encouraged the committee to consider using the annual ACS Remuneration Survey as a way of tracking industry wage levels, and to provide regular professional development for its IT staff to enable them to maintain the currency of their skills.

"Structured educational programs like the ACS Certification Program, which provides Master-level modules of study can be a useful tool in helping public service IT professionals stay abreast of changing technology trends and methodologies.

"We also see a significant opportunity for the Commonwealth to provide valuable work experience placements for young IT students and graduates, helping to ease the transition between study and full-time work while taking advantage of their training and enthusiasm," he said.

The ACS also considered issues relating to those working outside the IT sphere, highlighting the opportunity for the Commonwealth to apply the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) to measure user competence with computers.

The ICDL is the global standard for basic computer literacy, being used as a benchmark for people in business, government and the community in over 57 countries.

"The ICDL provides a simple and reliable means of identifying computer competencies of both existing employees and future job applicants for non-IT positions, enabling employers to ensure consistent and desired levels of IT ability throughout the organisation. It is increasingly being adopted at both State and Federal levels of Government," Mr Furini said.

This media release is available on the ACS Web site at http://www.acs.org.au/news/270902.htm

ENDS

About the Australian Computer Society: The ACS is the recognised association for information technology (IT) professionals, attracting a large and active membership from all levels of the IT industry and providing a wide range of services to its 16,000+ 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:

Dennis Furini, ACS Chief Executive , Tel: (0418) 963 980, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au