Reskilling for the future: Australia’s path to a skilled tech workforce
Recently, we asked you to identify the biggest priority among four key areas highlighted in ACS Digital Pulse 2024 for growing a highly skilled tech workforce. Reskilling for tech roles emerged as the top choice, with 50% of respondents selecting it as the most critical need to support Australia’s tech sector. This article will unpack insights from ACS Digital Pulse 2024 and highlight strategies to address reskilling challenges.
The reskilling imperative
Australia faces a critical need: by 2030, the nation will require 1.3 million technology workers, adding 52,000 new tech professionals each year. With traditional pathways like skilled migration and university programs under strain, reskilling offers a powerful solution. The report identifies 1.1 million "near tech" professionals—individuals in roles with overlapping skills who could transition into technology fields with targeted training. However, the share of professional workers considering a move into tech has dropped over the past two years, with 38% of these workers citing a lack of digital skills as a significant barrier.
Bridging the gap
Reskilling can be accelerated by promoting alternative pathways, like microcredentials and bootcamps, which offer focused, flexible training for those already in the workforce. Programs like Google Career Certificates and Salesforce’s microcredentials demonstrate how microlearning can equip professionals with skills in data analytics, cybersecurity, and AI.
ACS members have access to mySFIA and Skillsoft—two tools designed to support career growth. The newly relaunched mySFIA, built on the SFIA 9 framework, helps you assess skills, map career paths, and identify growth areas aligned with industry standards. Integrated with ACS Digital Badges, mySFIA also enables you to validate and showcase skills to employers.
Skillsoft offers over 11,000 courses in technical and non-technical areas like cloud computing, cybersecurity, and project management, plus resources for certifications like Azure and AWS. With Role Advisor, you can create a professional development plan tailored to your current role or explore pathways to aspirational roles with customised recommendations.
Addressing declining interest and skills gaps
Traditional educational pathways are also facing challenges. IT enrollments have declined by 10%, and only 3% of businesses consider IT and VET graduates job-ready, underscoring the need for industry-relevant and flexible training options. Moreover, with 49% of tech workers born overseas, there’s a strong reliance on migration to meet skills needs—a dependency that may not be sustainable in the long term. Upskilling domestic talent through accessible reskilling pathways is crucial to creating a resilient and adaptable workforce.
The ACS report also calls attention to the need for more inclusive employer practices, noting that 80% of job ads in tech require a university degree—a requirement that may deter skilled individuals who have acquired relevant experience through other means. Reducing formal education prerequisites and valuing diverse career paths could help attract a broader pool of reskillers.
ACS’s commitment to workforce growth
ACS is supporting reskilling initiatives, including partnerships with education providers and programs like the Queensland ICT Gateway as well as exploring collaboration with government and industry to expand paid work placements and subsidise training. Notably, the ACS Digital Pulse report 2024 recommends an “Earn While You Learn” model, proposing wage subsidies to support workers reskilling while maintaining financial stability. By making tech roles accessible and achievable for mid-career professionals, Australia can meet workforce demands and foster a more resilient economy.
How you can help
As an ACS member, you have the opportunity to advocate for pathways into technology careers. By mentoring aspiring professionals, sharing your knowledge, and promoting the importance of reskilling in your networks, you can help inspire others to explore opportunities in the tech sector. Do you know someone who’s interested in transitioning into a tech career? Forward this article to inspire them to take the first step. By sharing resources and promoting reskilling pathways, you can help grow Australia’s skilled tech workforce and support the next generation of IT professionals.