Born out of a collaboration between industry, academia and government, The Institute of Applied Technology – Digital (IAT-D) is offering new training opportunities to address the digital skills gap and meet the growing demand from employers.
Situated in the Meadowbank Education and Employment Precinct in North Sydney, the Institute is doing its part to deliver on the ambition of reaching 1.2m tech-related jobs in Australia by 2030. Under the guidance of the government’s Digital Employment Forum, this target was set out in 2022 to help grow and diversify the economy, keeping pace with the evolving opportunities offered by the technology sector.
A pathway to employment
Now the 7th largest employing industry across Australia, demand for skilled workers in the tech-sector is high. People are returning to study and reskilling with confidence that a well-paying job can be found at the end of it.
The IAT-D offers subsidised microcredential and micro-skill courses in a range of technology disciplines. As a founding academic partner, UTS has developed courses in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cyber-security, data analysis and software development.
Professor Paul Kennedy, head of the School of Computer Science, responsible for developing and delivering the courses, believes the institute has a valuable role to play in contributing to the government’s employment target. “You can't achieve that just with people going to university. They need to broaden that base by having things like micro-skills and microcredentials so that people that perhaps wouldn't want to go to university, or maybe they're not qualified to get into university, have a pathway into jobs, and potentially university afterwards”.
Flexible and affordable study
IAT-D courses combine online and in-person learning experiences, with fees generously subsidised for NSW residents. With the aim to get students upskilled and employed in tech-related roles, the Institute offers a streamlined curriculum. Micro-skills might be learned in 5 hours or less, while microcredentials may range from 40 to 75 hours (6-8 weeks) of study.
Learning is typically undertaken in small groups, as Professor Kennedy explained, “There are usually less than 30 students in a class, so it's quite intimate, not like some university subjects where you might have a couple hundred students in a lecture. It's much smaller and quite personable.”
“There's one teacher, which is one of our academics, and they've got industry experience as well. They run it not as a lecture, but as a workshop, where the students work together. There's usually a couple of assessments, a skills test and then they'd have a project that they'll do.”
Students also enjoy a modern and purpose-built learning facility in the new campus. Comprising a multi-level training centre, the centrepiece is a 64sqm 3D printed simulated city called AnyTown, where students are pitted against each other in simulated cyber-attacks.
Practical learning
When asked about UTS’ contribution to the partnership, Professor Kennedy explained, “We have really strong experience in the material. Not just in postgraduate and undergraduate courses, but also for industry short courses. UTS has this model of learning, which is very practice oriented and it's very practical. So, I think UTS brings those kinds of ideas and puts them into the short courses and microcredentials.”
Industry collaboration
With industry collaboration a key component of the IAT-D model, Microsoft have helped develop the course content to address the skills most in need. “Early on, Microsoft was really involved in trying to identify the areas of study and the jobs they relate to,” said Professor Kennedy, “and then we looked at what we were teaching in similar areas and matched it up in that way.”
“The idea is that the students can gain these digital micro-skills or microcredentials, and then in some cases, they can go on to do an industry certification. This might be from Microsoft, or it could be a SAS certificate, depending on the course they're doing. And then they can use that as proof of the quality of their work and to help find a job,” Professor Kennedy explained.
Bridging the gap
Rather than waiting for skilled job seekers to find them, some employers are more proactively engaging the Institute to help bridge the skills gap in their organisation. Westpac has been quick to take up the opportunity, sending teams of employees to take advantage of the Institute’s training resource and expertise.
On track for 2030
With the latest research showing Australia is on track to meet the 2030 target, Professor Kennedy has been very encouraged by the success of the program and the positive feedback from students. “I know that the students are really happy. We've been getting really good feedback about the teaching that we're doing, and I'm hearing that all the time. It's cheap for the students too, which is a great benefit.”
“There's definitely a need for it and it's working really well,” he remarked. “From my point of view, it's something that I'm really proud that the school and the university's involved in, and I'm proud of the work that we're doing in it.”
If you’re looking to develop new skills and grow your career in the tech industry, take a look at the UTS microcredentials on offer through the IAT-D.
