MEDIA RELEASE

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SOCOG, ACS and IBM Join Forces with NSW and ACT Tertiary Institutions to Deliver IT Staff for Olympic Games

Technology Specialist Volunteer Program Gives Tertiary Students Valuable Hands-On Experience, Practical Skills and ACS Student Membership

Monday 30 August 1999 - A joint effort between the Sydney Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (SOCOG), the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and IBM is helping to provide nearly 2,000 volunteers to maintain essential IT&T systems for the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Technology Specialist Volunteer Program, which has the support of several universities and TAFE institutions in NSW and the ACT, allows tertiary students studying computer science, engineering or related disciplines to earn credit points towards their qualification by working on the Games systems.

ACS Brings SOCOG Together with Universities

SOCOG approached the ACS when planning its volunteer recruitment process to seek assistance in attracting support from the institutions. The Society's NSW Branch played a pivotal role in bringing together representatives from the major universities and TAFE organisations to negotiate an arrangement that benefits all parties.

The Manager of SOCOG's Volunteer Recruitment, Brendan Lynch, said each student participating in the project will receive hands-on training, invaluable experience on a dynamic project, plus additional benefits such as ACS Student Membership.

"The Olympic and Paralympic Games represent a tremendous opportunity for Australia to showcase the breadth and depth of our IT capabilities. However, the complexity and diversity of IT systems being implemented demands an enormous pool of specialised technology volunteers to ensure everything performs to expectations.

"The volunteer program offers a way of leveraging the excellent IT education provided by our tertiary institutions while broadening students' experience. Those who participate will also receive a reference from IBM and Student Membership of the ACS in recognition of their valuable contribution," he said.

The program involves two sets of roles:

1. Testing, which involves students in pre-Games lab testing of the Game systems prior to their installation at the various venues; and
2. Operational, which encompasses hardware and software installation, network support, multimedia and broadcast support.

IBM is providing all the necessary training to prepare the students to work with the systems and will supervise their activities throughout the project.

Olympic Games Project Helps Address Skills Shortage

According to ACS NSW Branch Chairman, Philip Argy, "This is exactly the sort of approach that is going to help Australia address its IT&T skills shortage.

"By giving these tertiary students hands-on experience on a real-life project as part of their course, they gain practical skills and an appreciation of business processes whilst making useful contacts with a first tier vendor like IBM. The result is graduates who are far more employable and will become productive more quickly in the workforce.

"When the IT&T Skills Taskforce meets this week to prepare its action plan to address the IT&T crisis, we encourage them to include more initiatives like this to help bridge the experience gap for all Australian IT&T students."

Mr Argy also said the provision of ACS Student Membership would enable the students to participate in ACS meetings, access the Society's extensive Student Library of IT publications, leverage its close affiliations with IT&T recruitment agencies, and network with experienced IT&T professionals.

Tertiary Institutions Welcome Opportunity for Students to Gain Experience

The major institutions have thrown their weight behind the SOCOG program, encouraging students to participate as a way of enhancing their understanding of real-life IT systems.

Warren Hosey, the Senior Lecturer coordinating the Technical Volunteer Program at University of Western Sydney (UWS), said they are very keen to see students take advantage of the opportunity the Games represent.

"We're offering students credit for up to two subjects through their involvement in the Games," he said.

"Those who take part in the pre-Games testing will spend around six weeks working on the Games systems this year, which will be recognised with one subject's credit. They can also earn additional credit by returning next year to assist with the operational component during the Games themselves," said Mr Hosey.

IBM Provides Training & Supervision on Olympic Games Systems

In addition to the Games, IBM is also involved in more than 40 world class sporting events being staged at Olympic venues between now and the Sydney 2000 Games. These test events allow the Olympic technology providers, including IBM, to offer experience for staff and volunteers in the development and build-up of processes and systems that will be required at Games time.

Vickie Regan, IBM's Vice President, Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Technology, said, "this program provides students with an unprecedented opportunity to work on a complex project and gain the important hands-on IT experience needed in a fast-paced industry."

The participating students are interviewed by both SOCOG and IBM to assess their capabilities and plan how their skills will be applied.

For more information on SOCOG's Technology Specialist Volunteer Program, contact Kay Logan at technology01_volunteer@socog.com.au

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

ENDS

The Australian Computer Society 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 members. It is the public voice of the IT profession, 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:

Philip Argy, ACS NSW Branch Chairman, Tel: (02) 9296 2054, Email: pargy@msj.com.au

Brendan Lynch SOCOG, Tel: (02) 9297 2883, Email: Brendan_Lynch@socog.com.au

Warren Hosey,University of Western Sydney, Tel: (02) 9685 9264 or (019) 916 754, Email: W.Hosey@uws.edu.au

Jessica Ellman, IBM Corporate Communications Manager, Tel: (02) 9354 4854 or (0411) 267 932 , Email: jellman@au1.ibm.com

Caroline New, Caroline New PR, Tel: (02) 9980 8060 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au