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While the talk around town continues to focus on bigger salary budgets for 2007, AIIA has stepped into the debate, arguing that the war for ICT talent is not as fierce as reported. News last week suggested that salaries in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector were up 12 per cent across the board for the six months to December 2006. But AIIA’s Survey of Salaries and Remuneration Packaging in the Australian ICT Industry, which captures information on new, existing and departing employees across the breadth of the ICT industry, forecasts a budget of 4.1 per cent for 2006-2007 across the ICT sector. According to AIIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Sheryle Moon, AIIA’s August 2006 Salary Survey revealed total salary increases of 5.8 per cent on average for existing employees.
“Our research shows that only star performers would be receiving increases of 12 per cent,” Ms Moon says. AIIA and ACS to address ICT skills issues AIIA and the Australian Computer Society (ACS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which outlines their commitment to lead and coordinate efforts to address ICT skills shortages.
In June, the Department of Communication, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) released Building Australian ICT Skills, a report developed by the ICT Skills Foresighting Working Group. One of the seven key recommendations was the formation of an industry leadership group to develop and facilitate improved ICT information and participation in ICT occupations and careers. According to AIIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Sheryle Moon, a pivotal issue identified by the Working Group was the lack of public and private sector “The Working Group recommendations provide a real opportunity for AIIA and the ACS to make significant progress on key skills issues. Both associations are committed to demonstrating leadership to ensure we can capture the imaginations of the next generation of ICT workers,” Ms Moon says. “AIIA and the ACS have agreed that we will work closely with representatives of the government’s Industry Leadership Group to develop long-term strategies which ensure our industry has the necessary skills for the future – skills for the growth and development of our industry and skills for the application of ICT right across our economy,” explains Dennis Furini, Chief Executive Officer of the ACS. The main areas of cooperation will include gaining support and input from key stakeholders in order to achieve outcomes on the remaining six recommendations in DCITA’s report:
According to ACS President, Philip Argy, the organisations will be working on a broad front to follow up on the Working Group’s recommendations, especially improving the image of ICT as a career and identifying clear pathways from education to careers. AIIA’s Chairman, Peter Kazacos agrees. “Building and maintaining a world-class ICT workforce is necessary to meet the current and future needs of the economy. ICT is becoming more pervasive and more embedded in every aspect of human activity. So, we are going to need more people with ICT skills, not fewer,” Mr Kazacos says. “The ICT industry is currently worth 4.6 per cent of the nation’s GDP, and we must fight for our fair share of talent to ensure that Australia continues to enjoy strong productivity, economic and social benefits from ICT,” Ms Moon concludes.  |  Don’t throw e-waste scheme in the garbage AIIA remains committed to developing an industry-driven recycling scheme, despite the recent announcement that governments across Australia are looking to introduce regulations in 2007. At a meeting of the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) in Christchurch on 24 November, AIIA’s efforts to shape a voluntary, national computer recycling scheme were applauded. However, as unreasonable expectations that industry should engage with small importers and component distributors had not been met, the Council recommended the introduction of a government-imposed regulatory national scheme for recycling PCs and peripherals. Read more Cessation of ESA will reduce costs to industry AIIA has welcomed the federal government’s decision, announced last week, to cease its requirement that ICT suppliers be endorsed under the Endorsed Supplier Arrangement (ESA) if they enter into contracts for government business. “This decision is good news for the ICT suppliers doing business with the largest single ICT market in Australia”, says AIIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Sheryle Moon. “AIIA was involved in the consultation process with government, and is pleased that our concerns have been addressed.” Read more AIIA welcomes new Victorian ICT minister The Bracks Government has reinforced its commitment to the ICT industry by appointing a new ICT Minister for Victoria, says AIIA. AIIA's Chief Executive Officer, Sheryle Moon has welcomed the news that Tim Holding would lead the state’s ICT portfolio, which he takes over from Marsha Thomson. Read more
| Profiling our leaders: Ian Birks, Ideas International Each week, AIIA’s Bulletin profiles one of the members of our influential Board of Directors. This week, the Bulletin presents Ian Birks, Managing Director of Ideas International Limited, an ASX listed ICT market research company which achieves more than 95 percent of its revenues from export of locally-created products and services outside of Australia. Read more |
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