The power of alternative pathways

What is an alternative pathway?

Alternative pathways are non-university routes for developing skills and knowledge. They include vocational training, industry-vendor courses, earn-while-you-learn programs, traineeships, micro-credentials, and bootcamps.

Unlike most university degrees, which focus on theory first and practical application later, these options integrate hands-on skill development from the outset, blending knowledge building with immediate, real-world application.

The power of alternative pathways

Australia will require an additional 230,000 technology workers by 2030 to sustain economic momentum, according to ACS Digital Pulse. Without these skilled professionals the sector will stall, and the nation’s position in the global market, and our security will be at risk.

Alternative pathways are vital to maintaining Australia’s skills pipeline, as they provide more opportunities for people to enter the tech sector. They help ensure we have the skilled professionals needed to seize the opportunities emerging technologies offer and keep Australia competitive in a rapidly evolving global tech ecosystem.

Beyond maintaining our place on the global stage, alternative pathways empower people from all socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, neurodivergent profiles, life stages, and circumstances to build careers in technology and to shape the innovations that will define our future.

Technology has enormous societal influence and diversifying how people get a seat at the table helps differentiate perspectives, increase creativity and ensure ethical considerations and equity are embedded into products from the ground up.

A Case Study: Danielle Marie

Danielle Marie is a trailblazer in Australia's blockchain education space. Without a university degree, she transitioned from a career in hospitality to become the first woman in Australia to complete both the Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Applied Blockchain through TAFE Queensland.

Now a blockchain educator, Danielle is deeply committed to empowering women and career changers to enter the tech industry. She founded the non-profit ‘All Things Blockchain’, which hosts monthly educational meetups for over 2,300 members. Her work has helped shape national blockchain curricula and foster inclusivity in tech education. 

“As a career changer myself I know how challenging it can be to make that step, so to be part of someone’s journey as they come from non-technical fields and transform to proficient blockchain professionals is incredibly satisfying,” - Danielle Marie

Alternative pathways are picking up traction.

Across the tech industry, the value of alternative pathways is increasingly recognised, with government, industry leaders and employers actively expanding and supporting these opportunities.

The NSW Government have created The 20% Alternative Pathways Pledge, a commitment to ensure at least 20% of all digital entry-level hires will come from alternative pathways by 2030.

"By prioritising equity and diversity, this initiative is not just about filling roles, it’s about building a workforce that harnesses the full potential of NSW’s talent… Increasing representation of women, First Nations Australians and people with disabilities in tech will strengthen the sector and enrich our communities." – Chloe Read, NSW Department of Education Deputy Secretary, Education and Skills Reform.

Tech leaders and employers are turning their focus away from university degrees as a measure of skillset. ACS Digital Pulse 2025 surveyed over 300 C-suite executives and found that Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications and industry certifications are more effective indicators of tech worker performance than university degrees.

You, you should care. Alternative pathways are not only great to kick-start your career, but they can also help you grow in it. These routes provide practical, flexible and often faster ways for individuals to gain the skills needed for digital roles making upskilling, transitioning into new jobs and developing in your role.

Taking on alternative pathways, the next steps.

Find your ‘why’ – whether it’s starting your career journey, upskilling to transition to a new role or a new field, first you need to understand why you’re starting this journey and where you want to end up. Take advantage of free tools like myfuture, the ACS Foundation STEM Career Wheel or mydigitalcareer to narrow down jobs you’re interested in.

If you need more reasons to upskill, check out our article: 6 ways ACS can help you upskill

Create your starting point – to understand which skills you need to develop, you need to understand your current skillset. Check out the mySFIA assessment tool, exclusive to ACS members, not only will it assess your current skills but it will provide learning paths and suggested courses to start your alternative pathway.

Pick your preferred option – there are many different alternative pathways, some allow you to work while learning while others are more intensive and require more time. Either way, pick the pathway that suits your lifestyle, that allows you to work towards your career while balancing other requirements.

Alternative Pathways supported by ACS

Member Benefits

As part of your ACS membership, you gain access to a wide range of courses, with further discounts available on selected programs. These include specialised training designed to help you sharpen specific skills, from gaming design to advanced technical certifications.

https://www.acs.org.au/myacs/memberarea/member-benefits.html

Learning and Development Courses

ACS Learning & Development courses are developed in collaboration with leading tech professionals, ensuring you gain the skills that matter most. Each program is built around practical, hands-on learning and designed to keep you ahead in the latest trends and emerging fields of the tech industry.

https://www.acs.org.au/professional-development/learning-and-development.html

Micro-credentials

Don’t let your hard-earned skills go unnoticed. ACS microCredentials showcase your abilities to the wider tech sector and to current and future employers. These verified digital badges can be added to your LinkedIn profile or digital wallet, clear proof that you’ve put in the work and have the experience to back it up.

https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/microcredentials-home.html

Professional Year in IT

The ACS Professional Year in IT is a job-readiness program designed to bridge the gap between study and employment in Australia’s tech sector. Open to international students, it combines practical training with industry-relevant theory, capped off with a guaranteed internship to put your skills into action.

https://www.acs.org.au/cpd-education/professional-year-program.html

SA Power Network’s Earn-while-you-Learn

SA Power Networks has introduced the Cyber Kickstart Program, designed to help individuals with little or no IT or cybersecurity background begin a career in the field. The two-year program offers practical, hands-on experience: participants will spend three days a week working with SA Power Networks' cybersecurity team and two days completing structured coursework, earning industry-recognised certifications and gaining mentorship and networking opportunities, assisted by ACS. The program aims to bridge South Australia’s cybersecurity talent gap by equipping learners with the skills, experience, and confidence needed to launch into in-demand cybersecurity roles.

https://www.itnews.com.au/news/sa-power-networks-opens-first-cyber-security-kickstart-program-617005