NBN likely to provide over 55,000 ICT jobs

Stan Beer
Thursday, 18 June 2009 07:24

IT People - Enterprise

A new survey of salaries for ICT professionals shows that there has been a significant slowdown in pay increases over the past year as would be expected in the current economic climate. However, if you're lucky enough to have been working in a government ICT job, pay conditions have never been better, and the NBN is going to up the ante to the tune of more than 55.000 jobs, according to ICT professional body the Australian Computer Society.

The 2009 survey of ICT professional peak body Australian Computer Society (ACS) members encompasses the 12 month period to May 2009 and was conducted for the ACS by the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA).

Overall remuneration paid to ICT professionals across the twelve month period was up 4%, which was down on the previous year’s increase of 4.9%.

The survey recorded a 3.9% increase for those employed in the private sector; this is a 1.2% decline from 2008 salary results, and education sector employees also reported a low average increase of 3.5%.

However, the story for the public sector is somewhat different. The public sector remuneration is stronger than ever with an increase of 4.6%, a rise from last year’s 4.1%.

ACS Chairman, Kumar Parakala said the incomes of ICT professionals employed in the private sector were increasing more slowly than other professionals employed in the industry due to the impact of the global financial crisis.

“As business and government organisations tighten their belts in response to the global financial crisis, tech budgets are being cut and major projects are being delayed or put on hold. Whilst public sector employees have enjoyed an increase in salaries over the past twelve months, employees in the private sector have felt the greatest impact. Salary levels have however performed positively over the past two years, with all but three job functions experiencing a rise in remuneration packages.

“Looking ahead and at the outcomes of the Federal Budget a number of infrastructure programs have been put in place and investment in R&D has been allocated, which will have a positive impact on ICT employment and salaries. The investment of $3.1 billion in public and private sector research and development over the next four years will accelerate the growth of high-tech jobs and the initial investment of $4.7 billion in our National Broadband Network will require specific skills sets and will create over 55,000 jobs.

“An economic slowdown can also present an opportunity for both employers and individuals to take time out to retrain or improve their skill set / the skill set of their staff."

The ACS sees the economic downturn as a potential opportunity for those in the industry to further develop their skills by engaging in professional development, and to attain professional accreditation which will enable their skill set to be recognised globally.

“Given the commitment of the Federal Government to spend large to significantly invest in upgrading Australia’s ICT infrastructure capacity, the inevitable ongoing demand for qualified and experienced ICT specialists, salaries in the ICT sector can be expected to remain moderate across the board over the next 12 months”, said Mr Parakala.

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