La Trobe builds cyber security workforce
La Trobe University has been awarded $2.35 million by the Commonwealth Government, under the Australian Government’s Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund, to partner with industry to lift Australia’s cyber security capability.
Industry partners on the project, The partnership for new cyber security professionals, skills and employment, are Cisco, Quantum Victoria, Wiley, Practera, GHD, War on Wasted Talent and Optus.
Announced by Minister for Industry, Science and Technology the Hon. Christian Porter MP, and Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon. Karen Andrews MP, the project will create career-ready professionals through industry placements and work experience programs, as well as raising awareness about cyber security skills and training opportunities for high-school students.
La Trobe’s Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO welcomed the Commonwealth Government funding and said the University was delighted to be partnering with industry and Government to help bridge Australia’s cyber security skills gap.
“This Government funding recognises La Trobe’s position as a sector leader in both cyber security education and research innovation, as well as our established partnerships with industries in the field,” Professor Dewar said.
“We will continue to help build the knowledge, awareness and the workforce that will keep Australia one step ahead of the next cyber-attack.”
Working with the expertise, connections and contributions of the industry partners, the project will:
- engage more than 80,000 high school students to cybersecurity concepts and education;
- upskill and reskill career-changers, job seekers, current cyber professionals and employers with new micro-credentialled learning;
- provide hands-on experience through work-based learning;
- develop cyber capacity in exposed industries including SMEs, fintech and critical infrastructure, including in regional Australia.
Dr Megan Fisher, Pro Vice-Chancellor Industry Engagement, said the project would bring together La Trobe’s world-leading teaching and research expertise in cyber security, with its valued partners across the digital innovation sector.
“This exciting initiative is a great example of how the University can work effectively with a group of leading industry organisations, by pooling our resources, skills and expertise, to address workforce needs,” Dr Fisher said.