New Information Technology Industry Training

New Information Technology Industry Training Package

Release From The Australian Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs

Australia's Information Technology (IT) industry was boosted today with the launch of new IT training initiatives by the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Dr David Kemp.

"The Government is aware of the importance of developing relevant and sufficient skills to meet the demands of Australia's dynamic IT industry," said Dr Kemp.

Announcing the IT industry's Training Packages at a key industry forum, Solutions to the Information Technology Skill Shortage, Dr Kemp said "rapid change in the industry has created a situation where the supply of information technology and telecommunications skills needs to grow rapidly to meet constantly increasing demand."

The new IT Training Package signals expanded opportunities for both young people and existing employees through New Apprenticeships pathways in Australia's dynamic and expanding IT industry. It ensures that people trained under the Package will obtain recognised qualifications relevant to the needs of the IT industry.

"Training Packages provide flexibility, customisation, and qualifications based on industry standards. They allow the flexibility for industry to mix and match training to suit their needs. There are many options and pathways for training under the Packages and they do not prescribe curriculum. They do, however, offer training providers access to a national system of qualifications."

Government funding has contributed to the substantial growth in the number of people with formal IT&T qualifications from universities and vocational educational and training institutions.

Dr Kemp said "I'm pleased to see the growing commitment to the development of Training Packages, particularly by industry. The IT&T industry has accepted the need to contribute by identifying required skills and in providing appropriate work experience, job entry and training opportunities. However, the skills shortage cannot be addressed solely by government."

The aim is for all levels of Australian government to work closely with the IT&T industry and the education and training sector to increase the supply of skilled workers and to better match skills demand and supply.

Education and training are vital to Australia's transition to a knowledge-based economy. The formation of the National Office for the Information Economy has been a clear signal of the Government's recognition of the need for a coordinated and strategic approach to manage the range of issues associated with the information economy in this country.

The record numbers in training, 206,000 across industry at the end of December 1998, are a direct result of what can be achieved when Government, industry and education and training providers work together to deliver training pathways for young people leaving school and for the existing workers. A significant number of New Apprenticeships are in industries which have little or no history of apprenticeships and traineeships.

© Scoop Media