Australia’s TAFE network could become the new breeding ground for the next generation of Australia’s cyber security specialists, with the launch of a range of new courses launched by the tertiary education institutions.
Australia’s Minister for Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity, Angus Taylor MP, and Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews, launched Australia's first national skills-based cyber security Certificate and Diploma level qualifications to be delivered via TAFEs in Canberra on 25 January.
The cyber security qualifications were developed in close collaboration with a range of industry partners, including NBN Co, Cisco Australia and New Zealand, BAE Systems, Telstra, Deloitte and others.
The practical courses offered by the TAFEs are expected to open pathways to learners seeking further education and a potential new career meeting the security challenges faced by Australian employers.
The launch of the national courses comes almost two months after TAFE NSW revealed it would begin offering cyber security courses for students the first time in 2018 after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Box Hill Institute of TAFE in Victoria.
Among the national courses on offer are the Certificate IV in Cyber Security 22334VIC and Advanced Diploma of Cyber Security 22445VIC courses, both of which are practical, non-degree courses that students can complete on-the-job.
The courses are available for enrolment at Box Hill Institute (VIC), Canberra Institute of Technology (ACT), TAFE NSW, TAFE QLD, TAFE WA (SMT & NMT), TAFE SA from 2018.
Meanwhile, TasTAFE and Charles Darwin University (NT) are committed to providing cyber security training and will work closely with industry in their respective jurisdictions to plan implementation of these programs in 2018, in line with other states and territories
“This initiative by the TAFE network comes at a time when getting skills into industry is more critical than ever” said Telstra Asia Pacific CISO, Berin Lautenbach.
“Telstra, like other companies, is actively seeking to recruit new talent that have practical hands-on-keyboard cyber security skills.
"Knowing that the programs have been developed in close consultation with industry and are being delivered by TAFEs provides us with reassurance of the quality of the graduates that will come through,” Lautenbach said.
