Pieces of Paper

Tertiary education goes a long way. Edward Mandla looks at the options.

With the downturn in information and communications technology clearly behind us, and the prospects now greatly improved for us ICT professionals, the tertiary sector appears justified in its expectations of better times ahead. Despite this, the current reality continues to be generally lower enrolments with demand continuing to outstrip supply.

Growing demand for ICT services from employers keen to exploit the competitive advantages of new and emerging technologies has buoyed the industry and sparked greater interest in ICT education. In recent years, study options have increased enormously, with a huge array of degree and diploma courses now on offer in a wide range of specialisations, supplemented by the various vendor certifications.

Those contemplating a career - not just a job - in ICT should seriously consider gaining a university qualification since this will provide a solid grounding in technical knowledge and skills, along with a good understanding of business, financial and communications skills. Time and time again, we see employers demanding candidates who are good communicators. A university degree helps to develop analytical, problem solving, writing and speaking skills, in addition to the ability to work in a group situation. Many courses involve group-based assignments to develop teamwork and also include subjects such as basic psychology, English and management in addition to the usual technical subjects such as computer architecture, communications and software engineering.

But there is another issue that must be considered when preparing for employment in the ICT sector. More than ever before, employers want graduates who will be productive and contributing to their business from day one. Graduates of work integrated learning (WIL) courses, where students complement their formal education with practical experience in a business organisation, have always been highly sought after, for the mix of knowledge, skills, maturity and hands-on experience they bring to the workplace.

Many universities now provide effective and appropriate WIL programs supported by employers from all segments of the Australian business community. One such program is that run by the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS with its Bachelor of Information Technology). The WIL program is a degree that encompasses three years of fast track, intensive full-time study, including two six-month semesters spent in industry.

There is a strong focus on group work and communications skills, and industry sponsors are heavily involved in the curriculum design to ensure that the graduates are not only highly qualified but also have the knowledge and skills relevant to the needs of industry. Such WIL graduates are considered extremely employable and enjoy high placement records across the sector.

Recognising the importance of practical experience as part of an ICT degree course, we're also currently negotiating with a number of companies to significantly increase the number of scholarships available for work-integrated learning experiences, with obvious benefits for the successful students. Another approach that is delivering benefits is the combination of a university degree and a recognised vendor qualification such as a Microsoft MCSE, Cisco CCNP or Novell CNE, to name just a few.

In our experience, those who have undertaken an appropriate vendor certification to complement their tertiary degree have found a warm reception from employers and recruiters. We are also seeing a growing number of universities offering vendor certification as a part of their degree courses. 

For example, in addition to learning the fundamentals of Unix at university and being able to use a Unix machine, a Sun Solaris certification would ensure a higher degree of competence and the ability to work independently. Those progressive universities that incorporate vendor certifications into their curriculum ensure that students not only graduate with comprehensive ICT knowledge, but also with specific skills in a popular application to enhance their attractiveness to employers.

This approach also represents an enormous opportunity for the tertiary sector, since these institutions can target ICT practitioners who already hold a vendor qualification but no degree, crediting their certification towards a degree-level program of further study.

With industry analysts already warning of potential skills shortages in key areas by 2008, the ICT industry and profession are working together to attract more professionals into the sector. Thousands of professionals left the ICT industry for other industries around the turn of the century and thousands more will leave in coming years as the baby boomer generation moves into retirement.

The key to success - now and into the future - is a commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and skills, and a willingness to think outside the square. Australia must continue to innovate in our understanding and delivery of education, attracting the best and brightest into this sector in order to ensure we have the skills and expertise to shape the future for the next generation.