Victoria's plan for a vibrant ICT future

The Victorian Government released its Victorian ICT Workforce Development Plan on Thursday, comprising a $3 million suite of actions aimed at ensuring the state has an IT workforce driving innovation and economic growth.

Speaking at the Victorian iAwards dinner on Wednesday night, Minister for Technology Gordon Rich-Phillips stressed the importance of the state’s IT workforce and skills.

“Information and communication technology now plays a vital role in virtually all businesses and will continue to drive Victoria’s economic growth, innovation and productivity,” Rich-Phillips said.

The plan has three strategic objectives:

• Overcome misconceptions and increase awareness of ICT careers.
• Optimise the contribution that ICT can offer to business.
• Improve the alignment between ICT qualifications and business requirements.

The government says the actions under the plan will aim to increase the interest of Victorians of all ages in studying and taking up a career in ICT, help businesses to recruit and retain ICT capabilities they need and build closer relationships between business and education providers.

“Although we know ICT careers offer excellent financial incentives and opportunities, businesses often find it difficult to recruit workers with the required ICT skills,” Rich-Phillips said.

“With ICT roles approaching 5% of total employment in the state, we want to create a skills pipeline in Victoria which guarantees a strong supply of workers with training and qualifications attuned to the needs of business.

The minister thanked the ICT Skills Subcommittee for its work and advice over the past 12 months, which he said “has ensured that the ICT Workforce Development Plan and actions are relevant to current needs”.