ACT leads the way to fix Australia’s cyber security skills shortage


Released 19/03/2018

Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) with Box Hill Institute in Victoria will lead a new strategy to address the shortage of cyber security personnel in Australia by partnering with other vocational education providers across the country to develop work ready graduates with much-needed technical skills.

This new One TAFE approach, announced today in Victoria, will promote cyber security training by combining national vocational education resources, and set a benchmark for other industries experiencing skills shortages.

“With over 11,000 cyber security jobs required to be filled by 2020, we have a great opportunity to lead the way and work collaboratively to address this skills shortage right here in Canberra,’’ Minister for Higher Education, Training and Research Meegan Fitzharris said.

“CIT is part of an exciting new collaboration with TAFEs across Australia working to create a national standardised cyber security training solution.

“Through this partnership the TAFE network will share training resources, programs and the strengths of teachers and facilities across the country to ensure we have a coordinated approach to training cyber security experts across Australia.”

AustCyber (the Australian Cyber Security Growth Network) and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on Cyber Security Alistair MacGibbon, have strongly advocated for a single, standardised set of training nationally.

“Here in Canberra we have the opportunity to demonstrate our ability to lead this effort. The ACT Government is committed to increasing the number and quality of cyber security specialists both here in Canberra and across the country.

“The vocational education sector here in Canberra is innovative and has the ability to work closely with industry to address skills shortages.

“Ultimately this new approach will ensure students have the opportunity to work and study so they can move into these jobs of the future sooner, helping to address this looming skills shortage.

“If you’ve ever wondered what a career as a cyber security expert would look like, now is a great time to find out,” said Minister Fitzharris.

CIT is a member of the Canberra Node of the Australian Growth Center for Cyber Security and has been driving cyber security skills delivery in the ACT and region for two years.

CIT delivers a nationally accredited Graduate Certificate of Networking and Cyber Security (10198NAT) that was developed with Industry in 2015. Under the One TAFE partnership, CIT will also deliver the Box Hill Institute Certificate IV in Cyber Security and Advanced Diploma in Cyber Security to ensure students are getting the technical skills industry requires. These programs were developed with funding support from the Victorian Government and were developed in close partnership with industry.

The signing of the National TAFE agreement took place at Box Hill Institute Group’s City Campus on 5 December 2017. CIT CEO Leanne Cover attended the signing on behalf CIT.

- Statement ends -

Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases

Media Contacts

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Claire Johnston

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0452 597 459

clairev.johnston@act.gov.au


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