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.
8th December 2020
COVID-19 has presented challenges for all
professions and workplaces with ACS and the ICT sector not immune to 2020’s
travails.
ACS’ aim during the pandemic has been to flatten
the infection curve while assisting members, the sector and businesses as they adapt
to a dynamic and demanding time.
Presently, ACS premises, including Labs, are at
various levels of access in line with each state’s restrictions. We are
encouraging staff to work from home while working on return to work plans that
comply with best practice and local regulations.
We understand
there are differing circumstances at our various office locations. We also know
that pandemic conditions remain unpredictable and more changes may be made on
short notice and we are aiming to accommodate the needs of staff, Labs tenants
and members to the greatest practical extent.
During the year, the ICT sector was not spared the
economic impact of business closures as lockdowns to control the spread of the
virus took effect in March.
To support members, ACS provided a
complimentary six-month membership extension and offered free professional
certification.
Members attaining a Certified
Professional status also received additional benefits, including 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 the ACS member insurance cover.
Certification ensured ACS members would
be well placed to re-enter the sector as the COVID crisis passed. The CP or CT
certification is highly regarded and will put our members at an advantage once
the recovery begins.
To help members find work, ACS launched
its Career Platform giving employers access to the society’s unrivalled network
of students, graduates and experienced Australian technology professionals
while giving members access to career advice and available employment
opportunities with employers across the tech sector.
ACS also continued its commitment to
assisting those entering the technology workforce, and as part of the response
to the COVID-19 crisis transformed our Tech and Employability Skills Half
Day Conference to be delivered online.
Following the completion of the 6 month
membership extension and complimentary certification offers, ACSPlus was
launched. The initiative offered members access to courses and events helping
them acquire new skills spanning the data value chain from analytics,
marketing, governance and privacy.
Along with measures to support members,
ACS also worked to help fight the spread of COVID-19 with the Flatten the Curve
Hackathon.
As the economy moves out from the
effects of the shutdowns and the debilitating effects of the virus, the
technical skills of ACS members will critical to navigating the economic
recovery. The society’s moves to support members, the wider sector and the
community in general will help Australia recover from COVID-19’s economic
impact.
We look forward to working with you during
this vital period of recovery.
Yours sincerely
Dr Ian Oppermann Rupert Grayston
President Interim Chief Executive Officer
ACS ACS
