Canberra urged to address tech skills gap

The re-elected Turnbull government must keep digital policy at the forefront to secure Australia’s digital future, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) has urged.

The industry association’s president Anthony Wong said digital skills will be key to the development of Australia’s digital economy, which Deloitte Access Economics predicts will grow to reach $139 billion by 2020.

“Throughout the election campaign both parties made strong commitments to the ongoing support of digital development and digital literacy. Now, it is time for the incoming government to make good on its promises to secure Australia’s digital future and progress our digital economy,” he said.

The ACS is urging the Turnbull government to address the five policy areas covered in the ACS 2016 Election Manifesto — digital skills and digital literacy, diversity in ICT, cybersecurity, the NBN and ICT policy frameworks.

Wong said Australia is suffering from a deficit in specialist ICT skills and an undersupply of new ICT graduates. The Australia’s Digital Pulse 2016 report shows that graduates account for only 1% of the ICT workforce. Likewise, while 75% of fast-growing occupations require STEM sills, only 16% of high school graduates pursue degrees in STEM disciplines.

The survey also indicates that women currently comprise just 28% of Australia’s ICT workforce, compared to 43% across all professional industries, and that there is an average pay gap of around 20% between male and female ICT workers.

He called on the re-elected government to work with the ICT sector and academia in a collaborative manner to address these issues.

Key recommendations from the ACS include implementing digital technologies courses into school curricula, holding an inquiry into why enrolments into computer science and IT degrees are so low despite rising demand for IT skills and establishing a campaign to inspire young girls to enter the ICT profession.

The dearth of IT talent is a particular issue given the impending threat posed by cyberattacks, Wong said.

“We currently have a very real undersupply of cybersecurity specialists. This is worrying when considering the threat of cybersecurity could cost Australians as much as $17 billion annually,” he said.

“ACS reiterates its recommendation that the Turnbull government expedite the implementation of its Cyber Security Strategy, including its plans for workforce training as part of building a cyber smart nation.”

Wong also called on the government to expand its National Innovation and Science Agenda. “ACS encourages the Prime Minister to accelerate the pace of digital education, as a measure to facilitate the transformation of the economy. As the professional body for what is arguably the most important sector for Australia’s future, the ACS stands ready to assist,” Wong said.

With regards to the NBN, Wong said the supply of high-speed, high-quality broadband is now seen as a basic utility, so the rollout must be seen as an immediate priority.

“If we are to encourage growth in our economy, we must provide schools, universities and businesses with the right tools to grow. Australia currently ranks 60th in global internet speed ratings and this needs to change,” Wong said.

ACS policy recommendations for the NBN include increasing the speed of the rollout, placing a higher priority on connections and activations for SMEs and educational institutions, and establishing a working group to explore how the NBN can foster the development of the Internet of Things.

Image courtesy of Northern Ireland Executive under CC