The Minister for the Public Service recently announced that the Australian Public Service (APS) will partner with the University of Newcastle to deliver a new university Academy Campus. The APS Academy Campus will offer a suite of flexible data and digital training and entry-level employment opportunities for students to help kick-start their APS data and digital professional careers without leaving our region.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle welcomed the partnership announcement that will help drive new opportunities for the country, our region and students. He noted that the University is well-placed to lead the development of the digital economy for the region and they welcome this partnership with the Australian Government to establish an APS Academy in Newcastle.
He added that in an increasingly connected and digital world, the Academy will complement our existing work in cyber security and digital innovation, boost the skilled workforce in the region, and further embed collaboration with government and industry.
Moreover, it will provide students with new pathways for data and digital professional careers through work placements, and ensure that when they graduate, students will be ready for the digital world that awaits them.
The Academy Campus based at the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan campus is scheduled to be up and running in 2023. The Academy will initially offer up to 30 placements for students studying in the fields of computer and data science, information technology, software engineering and cyber security.
Supporting the growth of I&T in Australia
The 2022-23 federal Budget is Australia’s plan for a stronger future – this means a serious commitment to the future-facing industries, technologies and skills that will keep Australia at the forefront of a fast-changing world.
With Australia’s economy currently sitting above pre-pandemic levels and ahead of the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Japan and Italy, the Government has mapped out a ‘big picture’ pathway, as well as continuing to support businesses and individuals through current challenges.
Focus on innovation and technology
Some of the key new initiatives announced in this year’s Budget revolve around innovation, technology and developing the next generation of Australian companies and products. In particular:
- AU$1.6 billion to kickstart Australia’s Economic Accelerator program and support research projects with high commercial opportunity
- further funding for the Digital Economy Strategy
- additional grant funding for critical minerals, manufacturing, clean energy and defence
- increased funding for the Medical Research Future Fund to support innovative treatments, advanced health care and medical technology.
Digital technology
Australia’s goal to become a top 10 data and digital economy by 2030 has been boosted by extensive funding in the budget. As well as significant support for businesses to embrace the digital revolution, the government will pour more than AU$ 130 million into its Digital Economy Strategy, building on last year’s AU$ 1.2 billion budget funding and the further AU$ 347 million committed over the past 12 months.
The new strategy initiatives include extending the government’s cyber hubs pilot, funding for Australia’s quantum computing industry, supporting women to pursue career opportunities in the growing tech workforce and investing in the digitisation of the transport sector, among others. The government is also planning to develop a Digital Age Policy that will be used to position Australia as a world leader in regulating the digital economy.
