ICT Industries overview

The Information Communications Technology (ICT) industry as we know it in the 21st century did not really appear until the latter part of the 20th century and the forecast is that the picture of the industry is changing daily and will continue to do so indefinitely.  

Australia’s ICT market is worth $100 billion and is the fifth largest in the Asia- Pacific region and the 14th largest in the world. In the first 10 years of this century Australia’s ICT market grew faster than those of Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea.

All of the above now means that Australia and New South Wales has significant research capability, highly skilled and experienced workforce and a technology hungry, solutions driven customer base.

In addition, the size of the market, its innovative outlook and a varied and sophisticated customer base combine to make Australia an ideal location to develop and test new ICT products and services.

There is a current workforce of 440,00 and this is forecast to grow significantly.

Employment and Career Opportunities

Deciding which employment and or career pathway to follow requires evaluation of as much valid information as possible. Below is a list of critical factors that will assist in deciding which pathway to choose.

To find a current overview of the Information and Telecommunications Technology Industry please click here.

Where do I find a list of occupations?

Some of the career and employment opportunities include:

To find out more about the jobs /occupations listed click here.

The 18 occupations listed as part of the Information and Telecommunications Technology Industry can be accessed by clicking on a job title which will open to a comprehensive overview of the occupation including Job prospects, weekly earnings and occupation  size.

Or

Go to Reports and Links and click on Occupational Bulletin and obtain a summary of occupation that will prove very helpful.

Qualifications and Occupations in the Information and Telecommunications Technology Industry Sector

If one or more occupations have been selected as potential employment/career targets the next step is to find their relationship to qualifications required to work in the Industry. To get the full picture click here and follow the steps.

Qualifications and Occupations/Industry Sectors:

Please enter either

ICT10 Integrated Telecommunications Training Package and click on View Report

Or

ICA11 Information and Communications Technology Training Package and click on View Report

Training Pathways into the Information and Telecommunications Technology Industry NSW

At this point one or maybe two job/career selections have been made and now the question is how is the training undertaken and completed to match industry requirements. The following two pathways have been selected because both provide assistance in obtaining the necessary training to achieve entry into the industry.

(a) Traineeships in the Information and Telecommunications Technology Industry in NSW. Click on the links below to view information.

(b) Training courses subsidised by the NSW Government. Click here.

Skills Recognition

'Skills recognition' is a generic term that can be used to cover the range of ways an individual's skills, experience, knowledge and qualifications can be formally acknowledged, including: Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Credit transfer (including national recognition) Overseas qualifications assessment.

RPL

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) involves the assessment of previously unrecognised skills and knowledge an individual has achieved outside the formal education and training system. 

RPL assesses this unrecognised learning against the requirements of a formal qualification. By removing the need for duplication of learning, RPL encourages an individual to continue upgrading their skills and knowledge through structured education and training towards formal qualifications and improved employment outcomes.

In order to recognise prior learning it is necessary to: compare the informal or non-formal learning the individual has achieved against the learning outcomes or performance criteria of the course or qualification for which the student is using as a basis for seeking entry or the award of credit, and determine appropriate evidence to support the claim of prior learning.

The processes used to assess RPL applications may take several (not mutually exclusive) forms, for example:
• participation in exactly the same or modified versions of the assessment the student would be required to complete as part of the full course
• assessment based on a portfolio of evidence
• direct observation of demonstration of skill or competence
• reflective papers, journals or portfolios that relate past learning to the learning or competency outcomes of the current course or qualification
• provision of examples of the student's work drawn from the workplace, social, community or other setting in which the student applies their learning, skill or competence;
• testimonials of learning, skill or competence; or
• combinations of any of the above.

 

Credit Transfer

Credit transfer involves assessing a previously completed course or subject to see if it provides equivalent learning or competency outcomes to those required within the student's current course of study.

It is used when a student seeks credit for a course or subject they have already completed. It is based on agreements between institutions or organisations as to the credit value to be given for specific units of competency and learning outcomes within a course or qualification. Formal documentation of equivalence (for example a mapping guide) is required.

Credit transfer can also be cross-sectoral. For example, students may seek to have vocational education and training qualifications credited against higher education subjects, or the reverse. Processes for credit transfer should be developed and administered by individual organisations.

National Recognition

National recognition is unique to the vocational education and training system. It means that a student automatically has credit for units of competency that they have completed at another registered training organisation (RTO).

A statement of attainment from another RTO that contributes to a qualification is reported as a form of credit transfer.

Overseas qualifications

There are several options available to individuals who hold overseas qualifications, but wish to commence a career in Australia. Comparisons between overseas qualifications and Australian qualifications (except for school-level qualifications) may be established through the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) — a Commonwealth government agency. Individuals seeking formal recognition of their qualifications should contact NOOSR.

While formal recognition of overseas qualification is possible through NOOSR, ASIC has specific obligations for Australia and it will almost certainly be necessary to undertake some additional training (or assessment) to meet Australian regulatory requirements, particularly in relation to the distinct characteristics and products of the Australian environment.

This exercise of locally qualifying yourself will involve approaching an Australian training organization, known as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), to do an assessment of your skills and education for you and determine in which area or areas you require additional training to become fully compliant with current regulation.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Confused by all those letters? Don't understand that phrase? See our Glossary of Terms and Acronyms