TasTAFE to establish Cyber Innovation Training Hub
Published on: 28 Jul 2021
TasTAFE will establish a Cyber Innovation Training Hub to provide cyber security training to small business, ICT professionals and individuals following a successful application for $1.45million.
TasTAFE CEO, Grant Dreher, said TasTAFE, with support from TasICT, DXC and Cisco, had receive funding for the Hub under the Australian Government’s Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund.
“The Cyber Innovation Training Hub will help address the major cyber skills shortage in Tasmania with both a physical presence and online delivery to ensure state-wide access to training.
“It will include a physical space at TasTAFE’s Campbell Street Campus in Hobart with learning spaces to be purpose-designed and equipped with technology from global technology and cybersecurity leader, Cisco. The space will resemble an industry Security Operations Centre once completed and will offer a mix of simulated virtual, campus-based and workplace-based training. “
Mr Dreher said the Hub would initially focus on a Certificate IV Cyber Security and a nationally accredited Diploma/Advanced Diploma in ICT as these were the qualifications with the greatest demand from industry.
“Through the hub we will also create clear learning pathways that transition learners from basic skills to more specialised learning.
“Initiatives will include a cyber career outreach program for year 11 and 12 students, entry-level training and more advanced training options via TasTAFE and pathways to university.
“TasTAFE is excited by the opportunity to work with our industry partners, Cisco, DXC and TasICT on the development of the hub and ensure that it has a strong focus on industry experiences and needs.
“The Hub will have many benefits for Tasmania, lifting cyber awareness in the small business community and upskilling ICT professionals to broaden and deepen their cyber skills.”
Reg Johnson, Director Education & Strategic Industries said Cisco was thrilled TasTAFE was a recipient of the Australian Government’s Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund.
“This is a critical national initiative and investment given the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape and threat to digital economies around the globe in protecting critical infrastructure and addressing skill shortages. It shows that cyber security is not just an Australian problem; it’s a global problem for organisations to tackle. Government, industry and academia need to come together which is what we will be enabling through the Cyber Innovation Training Hub at TasTAFE.”
Mr Dreher said planning for the Cyber Innovation Training Hub would begin immediately with the fit-out of the physical space for the Hub expected to begin by mid-2022.
A pilot program focusing on cyber security skill-sets is expected to begin early next year with course offerings to be expanded following the pilot.
The Hub is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2023.