ACS is committed to doing our part to ensure the current Australian COVID-19 trend flattens, and to continue to deliver value to ACS members, stakeholders across the wider tech sector and Australians generally during this unprecedented time.
Keeping in mind to ensure the safety of our staff, members and volunteers while reducing impact on critical business activities, ACS has reviewed its approach on use of offices, ACS Labs and Tech and Innovation Hubs. Key takeaways include:
In an effort to ensure the safety of our staff, members and volunteers, ACS has decided to extend the closure of its offices and Technology and Innovation Hubs till Monday 7th September 2020. Offices are closed for all visitors, members and volunteers until further notice. ACS has been working on a phased return to work plan while ensuring that social distancing is followed, and will keep members updated about any further developments.
ACS has taken a conservative approach to its phased return to work plan
Over the course of five weeks ACS partnered with Sky News to deliver four Tech Perspectives programs which aired on Sunday evenings at 5pm. These programs focused on the recovery and innovation that is taking place in the ICT sector post COVID-19, highlighting the various Australian tech businesses who are at the forefront of leading our economy to recovery. Each show was a four person panel, moderated by Andrew Johnson, CEO, ACS and featuring industry leaders from a variety of different industries including start-ups, small business, multi nationals, education and government.
In addition to this, ACS also delivered the Industry Insights Leaders Series, aimed at the continued development of its members and ICT Educators Development Series, aimed to provide support to ICT educators.
The NSW government is sharing COVID-19 case data with the help of a world first framework developed by the ACS Data Sharing Committee. Designed to protect user privacy, the initiative has been led by ACS President Ian Oppermann, who has described the process of developing the framework in this article.
ACS is making changes to its migrations skills assessment, effective from 1 July. Under the updated scheme, cyber security will be assessed as its own occupation discipline under ANZSCO Unit Group 2621. Further changes to ACS skills assessment include removing the eligibility of non-digital electronics qualifications and a formal process for assessing qualifications recognised through the Seoul Accord. Applicants who want to be assessed under the Seoul Accord must provide sufficient evidence that their qualification is recognised. Details of the changes are on the Information Age website.
To continue assisting our members in keeping their skills current and help in their career journey even amidst the COVID-19 crisis, we have launched the ACS Learning Accelerator. We have transformed our digital learning experience and this new learning platform combines technical and professional courses and assets.
The ACS Learning Accelerator will give members access to new courses that were previously not available, prescribed learning journeys for current and future roles, vendor certification practise tests, certifications on completion and assessment of courses and recommendation for continual learning and skills development. Find out more.
ACS CEO Andrew Johnson was interviewed on Sky News' program 'The Innovation Forum' where he provided his insights on how organisation can continue to be innovative during crisis. He discussed #flattenthecurvehack, a Hackathon organised by ACS to provide innovative solutions to the problems arising due to COVID-19. ACS has had several initiatives to support its members during the challenge of COVID-19.
Watch the interview here.The full episode can be viewed by clicking here.
As the professional association for the ICT sector, ACS continues to focus efforts on introducing a range of valuable initiatives to support our educators, members and network through professional development during this unusual time.
Today we announce the release of eight online events, ACS’ ICT Educator Virtual Development Series. The series will provide pedagogy focused learning and development for educators to continue to teach the Digital Technologies Curriculum whilst juggling the challenges and experience due to COVID-19 and remote learning.
ACS is committed to assisting those who are entering the technology workforce, and as part of our continuing response to the COVID-19 crisis we have transformed our Tech and Employability Skills Half Day Conference to be delivered online.
Many technology students, graduates and emerging professionals previously attended the quarterly Tech and Employability Skills Conferences to hear from ICT experts, HR professionals and business professionals on how to secure a role within the tech workforce. ACS has prioritised moving these events online, making the decision to live stream these nationally on a monthly cycle. Concurrently, ACS has also made the decision to relax the Professional Year program requirement of attending one physical event to enable all students to acquire their Professional Year CPD hours through attending ACS virtual events, webinars and accessing resources through the ACS digital library, until the COVID-19 situation eases. For more information please visit the Tech and Employability Skills Half Day Conference event page.
ACS has made the decision to provide complimentary professional certification assessments from today until 30 June 2020 to ensure ACS members are best placed to navigate a labour market highly disrupted due to COVID-19.
ACS Associate members will be able to apply to have their skills and experience assessed, independently validated and recognised by the ACS. Members that are successfully assessed will be able to add this to their resumes so they are well positioned and placed for any opportunities as we emerge and recover from this crisis. Those members attaining a Certified Professional status will also have additional benefits such as being recognised by Commonwealth and State Governments under the Professional Standards Scheme, additional personal protection capping liability under this Scheme and increased insurance cover under ACS’ member insurance policy for those eligible.
ACS proudly organised the #flattenthecurvehack to rally the tech sector to find solutions to problems arising from COVID-19. Over 2,000 competitors participated in the 48-hour hackathon over the Easter long weekend, aiming to find unique and innovative solutions to the 5 challenges presented.
The hackathon received massive support from individuals and organisation across the tech sector, participating as competitors, volunteers, mentors, challengers and partners. The full list of winners can be found on the #flattenthecurvehack page and the amazing solutions created by the finalists can be found on the ACS Youtube channel
ACS is proud to announce that we are extending complimentary access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services to our members through until 31 December 2020.
EAP is a voluntary and professional confidential counselling service that is independent from the ACS. The service is provided to assist when personal, family or work related concerns are impacting health or quality of life as well as providing guidance on professional and or personal goals. Members can find more information on the benefits and accessing the program by clicking here.
Now more than ever, it is important that ACS supports our members to connect with career and employment opportunities across our networks - with industry and our Professional Partners.
The ACS Career Platform - techcareers.acs.org.au - provides access to career advice, job seeking content, profiles of working with specific organisations, and available opportunities with employers across the tech sector. ACS members can access the new ACS Career Platform by signing in to the ACS website.
For employers, the ACS Career Platform will provide access to an unrivalled network of students, graduates, mid-level, and senior technology professionals seeking to advance their career. Existing partners can on-board by talking to their ACS contact, other organisations can connect via the ACS website.
As the nation navigates through uncertain times with the global spread of COVID-19, ACS has made the decision to practically support our members by providing 6-month extensions to all members that were active financial as of 1 March 2020. This provides our members with one less thing to worry about at this time.
As an ACS member, we will automatically process this additional 6-months by the 30th of April. This will enable you to continue utilising your ACS membership to develop your skills and knowledge so that you are well positioned during this challenging period, and are well placed for any opportunities as we emerge and recover from this crisis. Further information on ACS membership can be found on the ACS Membership site.
ACS in conjunction with NCC Group designed cyber security guides to inform and guide organisations of all sizes and levels of digital maturity. These cyber security guides provide information and actionable recommendations necessary to ensure businesses remain secure and resilient, particularly when operating in exceptional conditions.
The three guides include:
These guides can be found on the ACS Resources to Assist During COVID-19 page.
To support small to medium businesses with advice that optimises working from home arrangements across all industries to minimise contagion and protect Australian jobs, we released;
“10 Tips for Small Business to Work from Home” that has been circulated to ASC Members ACCI, AIG, Ministers offices of Andrews and Fletcher, COSBOA, every state and territory government.
On Monday this week, we announced precautions and actions that ACS was taking to play our role in limiting the potential for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to spread. This included cancelling planned ACS physical events up to Easter, and temporarily closing access for all members and visitors to our Technology and Innovation Hubs in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane also through to Easter.
The number one objective of precautions for COVID-19 is public health. We understand though, that this has an impact on business.
To play our part in supporting small business, through to 30 June 2020, we have made the commitment to pay all invoices of small businesses including independent contractors on 7 days of receipt, rather than the normal 30 days terms of trade.
In a small way, we hope this assist with cash flow and helps supports keeping capability in our economy.
Thank you to all our partners for your support of ACS.
To limit the potential for the virus to spread so that the most vulnerable in our communities have the best access to Australia’s world leading health system, ACS;
This meant that as of close of business that same day, Monday 16th March through to the end of Easter Tuesday 14th April, ACS announced to members that we would be:
