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South Australia has increasingly positioned itself as Australia’s defence and space state, but both sectors need strong cyber defences, drawing on the resources of TAFE SA to build critical capability.
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Now, in response to industry demands, SA has launched the state’s first state-of-the-art training centre to create the next generation of cyber security professionals.
Premier Steven Marshall said the state Liberal government was laser focused on working with industry to ensure that the rapidly advancing economy had access to the trained cyber workers it needed, particularly for the booming defence industry.
“It is critically important that companies in the defence supply chain are armed with cyber-ready capabilities, and naturally, the key to advancing South Australia’s cyber industry and capabilities is building a trained and skilled workforce,” he said.
“Our focus is to position South Australia as a global leader in the cyber security industry, which will not only protect our most important assets and defence projects from cyber attacks, but also create new job opportunities and stimulate economic growth for our state.
“While cyber threats will continue to escalate globally and we must be prepared to protect our state, we also need to look at the business opportunity that this growing global cyber sector offers.”
The new facility is located at TAFE SA’s Adelaide City Campus and features a red attack room and blue defence room to provide students with real-life scenarios, simulations and testing opportunities.
With the advent of the new Cyber Traineeship Pathway, the Certificate IV in Cyber Security is one of TAFE SA’s fastest growing courses, jumping from five to 73 students.
SA Education Minister John Gardner said the new training centre would ensure that TAFE SA was ready for the increased demand from industry for skilled cyber security professionals.
“This new facility provides the latest technology and replicates scenarios that students will experience in their roles as cyber security technicians, helping them to be equipped with the skills that the workforce needs,” said Minister Gardner.
“Through this new training centre, TAFE SA is meeting the demands of a rapidly emerging industry with the right training and using the latest technology, so that South Australians can be placed for jobs in this rapidly emerging industry.”
TAFE SA chief executive David Coltman said the training centre would have a critical role in ensuring that TAFE is ready for the increased demand for cyber security workers over the next decade.
“Our cyber security qualification is part of the first national skills-based cyber security certificate level qualification and has been developed in close collaboration with a range of industry partners to make sure education and training is aligned directly with jobs and skills requirements,” he said.
