CEO of the DTA Chris Fechner, ACS president Helen McHugh and ACS CEO Josh Griggs at the signing of a new MoU for public service digital skills. Photo: Supplied.
A recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focusses on enhancing digital skills across the Australian Public Service (APS).
The MoU between the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), signed in Canberra mid-December, aims to leverage the expertise of both organisations to lift the digital skills of public sector employees.
A professional association for Australia’s technology sector, ACS represents about 49,500 members across industry, government and education.
It aims to help build the nation’s digital skills capabilities by fostering innovation and supporting ICT professionals throughout their career journeys.
The DTA, a government agency responsible for driving digital transformation, works to improve the accessibility, reliability and security of government services by adopting digital technologies.
The new collaboration will focus on providing training, resources and support to ensure the public sector workforce is equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The MoU will help enable APS technology professionals to use emerging technologies, enhance career paths and promote excellence within the service and supporting industry.
“This memorandum is built on principles of collaboration, communication and mutual benefit,” DTA chief executive officer Chris Fechner said.
“This arrangement seeks to strengthen cooperative and constructive exchanges of experiences and expertise to deliver better outcomes for Australians through digital government services.”
ACS chief executive officer Josh Griggs said the MoU would see ACS and the DTA working together to apply the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) as an industry-wide approach to digital skills classification and evaluations.
“This MoU represents a significant step forward in our mission to build a highly skilled digital workforce in Australia,” he said.
“By partnering with the DTA, we can ensure the public sector has access to the best training and resources available, enabling agencies to deliver high-quality digital services to the Australian public.
“ACS will be applying what we’ve learned from our overseas counterparts and our relationships with international technology organisations in ensuring this agreement becomes a catalyst for innovative creation and adoption of technology across the public sector in ways that benefit business, government and Australian society.”
SFIA is a global standard for describing the skills and competencies required by professionals in information and communication technologies, software engineering, and digital transformation roles.
Government agencies, private enterprises and individuals use the framework for workforce planning, recruitment and deployment of staff, career path frameworks, and skills assessment.
Individuals, public and private sector organisations can use SFIA for free through the Australian Government’s multi-year whole of country licence.
Key objectives of the MoU include maximising the efficient and effective use of existing capability and investment in delivering the Australian Government’s digital services.
The agreement also aims to be a catalyst to innovatively create and adopt technology that benefits business, government and society.
Additional objectives of the MoU include promoting the use of the SFIA as an industry-wide approach to digital skills classification and evaluation; building world-leading capability and skills within the Australian digital workforce; and exploring diversity and inclusion initiatives for tech talent.
While ACS has a long history of supporting the development of digital skills in Australia, the MoU’s signing marks the beginning of a collaborative effort to enhance the digital skills of the Australian public sector.
With its various initiatives – including professional development programs, certifications, and partnerships with educational institutions – ACS has assured the government it’s committed to ensuring Australia has the talent needed to drive future technological advancements.
With a network of branches in every state and territory, ACS has been running innovation labs and education programs for half a century to provide the high-skilled jobs needed for today and into the future.
The organisation says it also works to instil in IT professionals the obligations to act ethically, responsibly, and in keeping with the best interests of their employers and the community.
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