The ACS is thrilled to once again bring to you the National Young IT Professional Conference. Now into its third year, the conference is seen as a must for any young IT professionals and students who want to get ahead. Featuring quality speakers and lots of opportunities for networking, the conference is the perfect opportunity for young ICT professionals and students to learn and engage with peers in a social and professional environment, while acquiring skills and knowledge to advance their career.

Be part of a conference that helps you learn the skills essential to becoming a successful ICT professional. Build relationships with industry experts, and other-like minded peers. Whether you’re applying for your first job, getting your first promotion, or taking the next step into management, the ACS National Young IT Professional Conference is not to be missed!

Chris Cummins, MP Small Business, Information Technology Policy, and Multicultural Affairs

Martin Retschko - Hudson IT&T Sector Head

Trends in the IT job market in the next year and beyond for Queensland and Australia . Kevin Alexander will discuss the Hudson report, where IT growth is now, trends for the future, and where it will be in the next year. Kevin Alexander will also discuss what 'safe' jobs have been around in the last 5 - 10 years and what jobs will still be in demand in the next 5 - 10 years.

Susan Durovic - Marketing and Promotions Co-Ordinator, JobServe

Morning Tea

Peter Bars, Partner – Outsourcing Advisory Services, Deloitte

Peter Bars will present the importance of having good business skills in IT. Be it management, marketing or communication, these skills all have a significant impact on your ability to succeed in your workplace and business. Peter will also provide tips and helpful advice on developing your innate business skills.

Lindy MacPherson - National Manager Organisational Development & HR Resources from Data#3

Ever wondered why some people find it so easy to meet new people, start conversations and make business contacts? Knowing how to network effectively is one of the key soft skills that can help you build your career outside of your immediate work circle. You never know who you will meet at the next event! In this session, Lindy MacPherson will show you some practical tips and techniques on how you can be yourself and still make a positive impression.

David Kidd - Managing Editor IT Portfolio, PC Authority

• Student and Graduate Session

Sourcing and Securing a career path in the IT industry Ben James, Resource Manager - CITEC

Ben James will discuss IT career opportunities, how to stand out in the application, recruitment and selection processes, driving your IT career, winning an IT position in the Public Sector and CITEC's graduate recruitment program.

• Young IT Professionals Session

Career Strategy: Map your own Bearings
Megan Peach, Australian Orientation & Integration Coordinator - Accenture

Have you ever regretted not taking a chance, or alternatively, jumping in at the deep end? Come along to a workshop designed to help you create a unique career direction and define your own success. Gain insight into how you personally identify and approach opportunities, as well as learn different decision-making frameworks to help you evaluate risk and reward.  With the aid of these philosophies and tools you’ll better understand your own Career drivers and how to increase your professional resources and opportunities.  

Andrew Edelsten, Business Relations Manager - Auran Games

Auran is one of Australia 's longest running and largest independent game developers. The road over the past 10 years has had ups, downs and the odd moments of calm. The computer games industry is like most in the IT sector and undergoing significant changes. Andrew Edelsten will discuss some of the challenges Auran has faced in terms of R&D, competing globally, staffing, managing creativity and will delve into where Auran is headed and how it is planning to take advantage of changes in the computer entertainment sphere.

Philip Argy, ACS National President

Future Gen Y 'employers of choice' must embrace new communications technologies

Join us for the networking and social function at the Strike Bowling Bar. This is a fantastic opportunity for young IT Professionals and students to engage with peers and industry representatives in a social and professional environment. Located at the Wintergarden, Strike offers a variety of facilities for you to network in a way that suits you. Be it down at the bowling lanes, or up at the Skybox for a quiet chat, you will find this function a true networking experience.

The function is included in the registration fee for delegates who attend the full two-day conference.

Tickets for the function only are available for one-day delegates and guests of delegates. Prices are $70 (ACS members) and $90 (non members). See registration form on the back to book your ticket.

Industry Overview by Suncorp - Metway

Fulton Smith, General Manager Applications & Services - Suncorp-Metway

Suncorp has one of the largest IT centres in Queensland with over 650 IT professionals. Over the past 3 years, Suncorp IT has made strong inroads in improving its value proposition to the company. This has meant changes to the IT culture, capability & mindset. Fulton will talk about the 'people capability & leadership' needed to deliver on the vision of 'collaborating to shape solutions that meet the pace of business change'. Fulton's presentation will give young IT professionals' insights into capabilities needed in the future workforce.

Peter Grant, Assistant Director-General - Office of Government ICT, Department of Public Works

The Queensland Government is the largest ICT employer in Queensland but will be challenged in the future to recruit and retain a skilled ICT-capable workforce, in the context of whole-of-Government approaches to service delivery (growing demand), changing workforce demographics (shrinking supply) and new and emerging technologies (skillsets evolving). The Queensland Government offers ICT careers of great variety and the potential for growth and development. Peter Grant, Assistant Director-General Office of Government ICT, will explore 'what is an ICT career?' and how the Queensland Government is attracting new workers to its ranks - introducing the 'ICT Career - Graduate Development Program'.

Jeff Alexander, IT Pro Evangelist - Microsoft Australia

Jeff will discuss many of the innovative design philosophies and development strategies involved in making Windows Vista the most secure Windows operating system to date. He will examine the different attributes of reliability and examine the goals for Windows Vista and will cover in detail several new reliability and performance features and improvements in Windows Vista.

Steve Rudlin, State Manager - Sun Microsystems Australia

Steve Rudlin will discuss the strategy and direction of Sun Technology with some insights into the role of the Young IT Professional of the future.

Chris Austin, National Instructor Manager - Dimension Data Learning Solutions

In the IT industry, having an up-to-date skill set is key to keeping you competitive. In this session, Chris Austin will talk about certification from the perspectives of the vendor, the employer, the employee, and the potential employee. Chris will also discuss some of the more common certifications in the industry and provide tips to expand your knowledge.

Michael Hansen, Technology Consultant, Price Waterhouse Coopers

Sonja Breeze, IT&T Service Centre Manager - Ingeus Group of Companies

Unlike some other professions, being in the IT industry means you are not limited on where you can use your skills – you can work anywhere in the world! In today’s global economy, having an international employment profile is a definite plus on your resume. In this session, Michael Hansen and Sonia Breeze will share with you their experiences working overseas to help you make an informed decision about an international career.

Mark Lloyd, ACS Queensland Branch Chair

Young ICT professionals face many challenges, including four strategic issues that currently perplexed the ICT community, namely, identity, competence convention, ethics framework and a governance structure. As the project architect for Technologists in the Public Interest Mark's address will help you understand more about these strategic issues.