ACS Linkedin post -10^th anniversary Digital Pulse launched in the hot spot for tech

^Highlights

• It was a full house for the Gold Coast launch of the 10^th Anniversary ACS Digital Pulse, and a good news story for tech growth in Queensland.

With the Gold Coast dubbed the “hot spot for tech” and some 19,000 plus tech workers, it was the perfect launch pad for our 10^th anniversary ACS Digital Pulse Report ON 5 December, with special guest speaker Rob Molhoek MP, Member for Southport and close to 80 of our valued members attending. Some key takeaways:

• We’ve had a 10% growth in our Qld tech workforce, to 153,000 tech workers, projected to grow to 207,000 by 2030 – and being a significant driver for regional economic development.

• Tech workers account for 4.5% of Qld’s workforce, growing rapidly.

• There are close to 2,700 Qld university enrolments in ICT degrees.

For Australia to keep pace and improve on our international digital competitiveness score (current rank of 14^th), we need significant improvements in workforce diversity, emphasis on programs encouraging our school leavers to self-select into tech careers, along with upskillers and reskillers from other industries, along with skilled migration being critical to build our tech talent pipeline.

At today's event, we also awarded our latest Qld Fellow Michael A. Cowling for his contribution to ICT in the fields of technology enhanced learning, and the impact of technology on society.

With our gratitude and thanks to:

• Our fabulous speakers, Rob Molhoek MP, Nick Hull, Paul Walters, Josh Griggs emceed by ACS Qld Chair Mat Eames.

• Sponsors Rec4Tech for their generosity, and Dean Ellis for his valued insights into P&C and hiring policies to improve diversity on the front line.

• Our active ACS Gold Coast Chapter led by Paul Walters, and our ACS Qld Branch Executive who attended, Sharon Singh, SJ Peterschlingmann and Peter Yeates.

• The amazing branch and wider ACS village involved in bringing together such a successful event from inception to delivery - and supporting our members at today’s event: Sharyn Mick, Caitlin Hultgren, Angela Chen, Troy Steer, Hugh Eriksson, Paul Wallbank, Christopher McGovern, Nicole Morixbaur, David Straman, Kellie Nielsen, Melanie Long, Josh Mannix, Luisa Grant, Alannah Grech, Matthew Jorgensen, Jason Gower, Jonathan Nalder, Erin Cowling, Pauline Fetaui, Zoe Fall.

Download the Digital Pulse report and stay tuned for more leading tech industry events in 2025 at acs.org.au