AIIA awarded grant for tech training

The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) has been awarded a $250,000 Queensland Government grant to develop the state’s technology skills.

Together with contributions from the AIIA and partner Queensland University of Technology (QUT), $400,000 will be invested to provide targeted training for 1500 Queenslanders.

As part of the initiative, AIIA members will work with QUT to co-design two pilot courses focused on strategic IT-enabled innovation and cybersecurity respectively.

The first will be focused on improving the soft skills of ICT professionals and encouraging innovation, while the second will be designed to improve the technical capability and digital acumen of early- to mid-career cybersecurity professionals.

Queensland Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentima said such skills will be crucial to driving Queensland’s post-COVID recovery.

“IT and cybersecurity skills are needed now more than ever and that’s why the Palaszczuk government is proud to support this partnership with AIIA and QUT to deliver this fantastic new pilot,” Fentiman said.

AIIA CEO Ron Gauci added that the micro-credentialling course will be designed to be accepted by employers as a globally accepted industry standard meeting the current needs and demands of employers.

“The AIIA is pleased to be driving these important industry-crucial initiatives to deliver targeted courses post-COVID. Building skills around innovation in IT and cyber will only help position us stronger and assist in rebuilding the Australian economy — we thank the Queensland Government for its support and foresight.”

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