ACS (Australian Computer Society)

The tech talent shortage has a solution, and she's sitting in a high school classroom. 🙋♀️ For six consecutive years, Saint Stephen's College and event coordinator Casey McManus have been celebrating International Girls in ICT Day with a panel and series of tech workshops. Consistency matters in this space and six years of sustained effort signals a school culture that genuinely champions the future of its female students. At the heart of this year's event was a panel of Young Tech Ambassadors and industry professionals representing some of Australia's most exciting technology organisations. - Michelle and Daniel from PlaySide Studios - Former student Aiden from the QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Robotics program - Jo from Canva Education These professionals brought their real-world experience into the room, answering questions and sharing practical tips with over 120 Year 7 and 8 students. As research consistently shows that interest in STEM pathways begins to decline for girls in early high school, making targeted engagement at this stage genuinely impactful. In Casey’s words, “Every year I look forward to seeing students encounter and embrace all the different options that are open to them with Digital Careers. We had some amazing panellists this year who gave engaging insights and I am so grateful for them, and everyone else who helped make this day possible for the students”. To everyone involved at Saint Stephen's College and beyond - well done. This is how lasting change is made: one classroom, one conversation, one curious student at a time. The Information and Communication Technology Gateway to Industry Schools project (ICT GISP) encourages partnerships between industry, government, schools and their communities to build Queensland's future information technology workforce. The project provides an important opportunity to address the significant shortfall of young, emerging ICT talent in Queensland. It is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gSs_279f #ICTGISP #CareerPathways #skillsQueensland #GatewaySchools #GatewayToIndustry #GatewayToIndustrySchools #GirlsInICT #WomenInTech #ICTGISP #STEMEducation #DiversityInTech #AustralianTech

Continuous learning is part of every tech career now. New tools, new systems, new expectations. But even when people want to keep learning, something often gets in the way. What’s the biggest barrier stopping you from investing more in professional development right now? Let us know below

With up to 70% of job skills expected to change by 2030, continuous learning is no longer a “nice to have” for tech professionals. It’s how you stay adaptable, relevant and ready for what’s next. From personalised learning pathways through mySFIA and Skillsoft, to professional development events, courses and industry communities, ACS members have access to tools designed to support meaningful career growth. Because growth isn’t just about learning new technical skills. It’s about building the confidence, adaptability and mindset to navigate a rapidly evolving industry. 🚀 Learn more about the tools and opportunities ACS membership provides to help you keep growing: https://lnkd.in/gKeuNnR9

Make the most of your ACS membership 💡 Are you getting full value from your ACS membership? Join us for a practical Lunch & Learn designed to help you unlock the tools, opportunities, and benefits available to you. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, this interactive session will walk you through how ACS can support your growth. In this session, you’ll explore: • An overview of ACS – Australia’s peak body for ICT professionals • Exclusive member benefits and partner discounts • Opportunities to network, learn, and grow your professional profile • Live demonstrations of key platforms including Skillsoft and the ACS Career Platform 📅 Thursday, 18 Jun 2026 🕐 National Webinar Times: Adelaide: 12:00 PM Sydney / Melbourne / Canberra / Hobart / Brisbane: 12:30 PM Darwin: 12:00 PM Perth: 10:30 AM 🙋 Interactive session – bring your questions! 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/gyzZbECM This is your opportunity to better understand how ACS can support your career and connect you with a thriving national tech community. #ACS #TechCareers #ProfessionalDevelopment #ICT #FutureOfWork

Last week, international students and graduates gathered to learn more about ACS’s Professional Year in IT program and its guaranteed internship component, exploring how it works, what employers are really looking for and how to get the most out of the experience.   The session featured honest, practical insights from both industry and former PY participants on navigating the transition from study into meaningful work in Australia’s tech sector.   “The PY structure helps students adapt this transition much faster because they already enter with more professional mindset compared to someone completely new to the workplace environment," said Jaynil Karkar, from OneStep Group.   Perhaps one of the most encouraging takeaways was from Neeraj Kumar, former graduate of PY and current cybersecurity specialist with OneStep Group: "The Professional Year Internship really helped me shape the direction more clearly. After the internship, I had a much better understanding of the SOC environment and the type of work required in an actual cybersecurity role. This experience has helped me move into my current role and has given me a clear view of my future progression."   These conversations continue to highlight how important industry exposure, mentorship and practical learning are in helping graduates bridge the gap between university and the workplace.   If you're curious about how the ACS Professional Year can support your transition into full-time work, check out our website for more information: https://lnkd.in/gZ6mxfgP

This week ACS was thrilled to welcome back to our Sydney Tech Hub the Premier of NSW - the Hon Chris Minns MP for a policy roundtable discussion attended by numerous stakeholders from across industry. Hosted by ACS President - Beau Tydd, the discussion centred on the economy, reform, general political environment and transport. ACS NSW Chair - Cindy Chung gave the vote of thanks. We are very appreciative to the Premier and his staff for giving his time to visit our Sydney base and for the opportunity to discuss current policy matters with him. ACS has been working tirelessly with all levels of government throughout 2026 to ensure that our members have a seat at the table with our key stakeholders and we look forward to hosting more of these important events into the future.

In tech, learning never really stops. New tools, new systems, new ways of working, every week brings something different. But the way we absorb and apply knowledge isn’t the same for everyone. Some professionals learn best through hands-on problem solving, others through structured courses, collaboration, experimentation, or independent research. So when it comes to building your skills and staying current in the industry… what kind of learner are you really? 🧠

Today is the start of Vivid, Sydney's annual celebration of creativity, innovation and technology. If you're planning on visiting the numerous installations across Sydney CBD, stop in to ACS NSW to hear the stories of innovation and digital transformation that brought these large-scale creations to life.

Enterprise Architecture is where strategy meets execution.   ACS’s Enterprise Architecture and Design course is designed for ICT professionals ready to strengthen their ability to design scalable solutions, align technology with business goals, and make more informed architectural decisions.   Far beyond frameworks and flowcharts, the course focuses on practical, real-world application, helping participants build capability in: 🏗️ Solution and systems design 📊 Enterprise architecture frameworks 🔗 Aligning technology with business outcomes ⚡ Strategic thinking for modern ICT environments   Whether you’re stepping into an architecture role or building on existing experience, this course is designed to help sharpen your technical and strategic capability.   📅 Starts 1 June 2026 Register now: https://lnkd.in/gF5qtU52

Hiring tech talent but hitting the same roadblocks? You’re not alone, and you might be overlooking a highly capable, ready-to-contribute talent pool already in Australia. Join us for a focused session designed for leaders and hiring managers, where we unpack insights from ACS’s Skilled Journeys: Migrant Voices on Building Australia’s Tech Capability report. Discover how to better identify, assess, and integrate skilled migrants into your teams, without compromising on quality or speed. Led by Garreth Chandler from The Evolved Group, this session delivers practical strategies to help you fill critical roles faster, strengthen team capability, and stay competitive in a tight market. 📅 Wed 27 May 🕧 12:30 pm AEST 🖥️ Virtual 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/grGKMcMP