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South Australia is stepping up its training of cyber security professionals to ensure that the state’s growing space, defence and IT sectors are properly secured.
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Under the state government’s Skilling South Australia initiative, almost 140 people will gain skills in cyber security, IT and high-tech sectors.
“There is a critical requirement for cyber-trained workers in industry sectors like defence, health, space, agribusiness and education, as well as the economy more broadly,” said SA Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni.
“Businesses will increase their capability through cyber security traineeships and support their ICT staff to gain the latest industry skills through a $71,800 state government-funded project under the Skilling South Australia initiative,” Minister Pisoni said.
“Up to 20 workers at SAGE Group, SA Power Networks and DXC Technology will be the first to begin cyber security traineeships, and I strongly encourage more companies to get involved.”
Mr Pisoni said the traineeship pilot program was ideal for general IT staff wanting to upskill in cyber security functions, with a customised approach to supporting participants and businesses with access to subsidised training.
The two-year traineeship includes a Certificate IV in Cyber Security and is delivered by TAFE SA as an online study program.
The Certificate IV in Cyber Security was developed by AustCyber in collaboration with national industry partners.
This was endorsed by the state’s Training and Skills Commission and South Australia’s Chief Information Security Officer David Goodman.
Modelling by the Training and Skills Commission estimates there will be 5,000 to 7,500 new job openings for ICT workers over the next five years in South Australia, with at least 800 to 1,500 of these staff requiring training in cyber security.
In addition, there are currently around 3,800 ICT workers in South Australia who require continued training in cyber security to increase and maintain their skill base.
“This is one of more than 90 Skilling South Australia projects, worth more than $17 million, funded by the state government and co-designed with business and industry to drive apprenticeship and traineeship growth,” Mr Pisoni said.
“This builds on the Marshall government’s recent investment of $8.96 million to establish the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre at Lot Fourteen.
“The centre aims to develop a nation-leading cyber ecosystem in South Australia that contributes to economic growth through new skills, new enterprise, new customers and new investment.”
SAGE general manager of business services Jason Taylor said SAGE values the opportunity to accelerate employees’ capability in cyber security.
“We deliver automation and digital solutions for some of the biggest companies in defence, utilities, transport and manufacturing, so a strong cyber security capability is not only important in protecting our business, but also allows us to develop and deliver secure systems for these clients,” Mr Taylor said.
“We see our role increasingly being as advisers to clients to identify security threats and improve their own systems, and this training will support this strategy.”
