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MEDIA RELEASE - ICT Manager wins Young Professional of the Year Award

A South Australian ICT manager responsible for projects which ensure the State’s safe supply of electricity was today named ‘Young Professional of the Year’ by Professions Australia.

Presenting the award, Professions Australia’s Senior Vice President, Brenda Aynsley said Yohan De Silva’s achievements as a young professional were outstanding and reinforced the major contribution which professionals make every day to the community.

“Yohan manages a number of major ICT projects at SA Power Networks which help staff carry out their day-to-day jobs such as inspecting the state’s network of electricity poles, wires and transformers using technology such as iPads and mobile apps.”

“Through these technology projects, SA Power Networks’ mobile workforce ensures that the electricity distribution network is able to deliver reliable and secure supply and that public safety is paramount,” Ms Aynsley said.

“Yohan’s commitment to professionalism and encouraging the next generation of professionals is second to none, including as a former lecturer at UniSA, a branch executive committee member of the Australian Computer Society and a member of the Project Management Institute. Last year, Yohan was recognised for his contribution to the ICT profession as the winner of the Young ICT Professional – Male under 30 Years of Age at the ACS Digital Disruptor Awards.”

Yohan is currently the Vice Chair of the ACS (SA Branch) which actively promotes ICT as a profession and the ACS as the leading professional body for ICT practitioners. He graduated with a Bachelor of Computer Science and Master of ICT Management from University of South Australia.

ACS CEO Andrew Johnson said, “Yohan’s achievements are testament to his professionalism and commitment to excellence. The ACS is pleased to count young technology professionals like Yohan not only among our membership, but our leadership. Clearly, there’s a bright future ahead for ICT in Australia.”

Accepting the award, Yohan said, “It’s an absolute honour to be named the Young Professional of the Year for 2016 and recognised at the highest level by Professions Australia, the peak body representing professional associations in Australia.”

“Being a professional is not just about doing your job – it’s about contributing to your community whether that’s local, international or global and sharing ideas with your colleagues across the professions.”

“I encourage other professionals to share their achievements and ideas for the future and become an active member of their professional association,” he said.

Media enquiries: 
Liz Lang, CEO, Professions Australia on 0400 402 904 or ceo@professions.com.au                                   
Alexis Roitman, ACS on 0429 528 664 or alexis.roitman@acs.org.au

Professions Australia is the unifying voice of associations representing the professions. 
Our members represent more than 430,000 professionals. www.professions.com.au  I  Twitter: @ProfessionsAus