NSW’s brightest young minds can now hone their cyber skills with the establishment of the new Cyber Academy, which aims to bolster the nation’s cyber security workforce and help combat the growing threat of online attacks. 

The new Cyber Academy, which is a partnership between the University of Wollongong (UOW), Deloitte, TAFE NSW and Swinburne University of Technology, will fast track 1,200 careers in the rapidly growing cyber security sector through a blended three-year ‘earn as you learn’ program. 

“This collaboration harnesses world-leading expertise to ensure a pipeline of highly skilled graduates can hit the ground running and provide vital protection for our economy in the cyber sector,” Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said. 

“This innovative, Australian-first program is a fantastic example of education providers and industry leaders coming together to solve a pressing issue for our communities.” 

The new cyber program, which was funded by the NSW Government under its NSW Higher Education Strategy, will see its trainees employed by Deloitte, an NSW Government department, or an industry partner. Aside from this, the trainees will also undertake online training coupled with face-to-face learning for three years. 

Deloitte Australia Risk Advisory Managing Partner Steve Jansz said the first-of-its-kind program would combine nationally recognised qualifications with on-the-job training and mentorship. 

“The risks of more complex and sophisticated cyberattacks are clear and we need the best and the brightest working in cyber to help protect Australians and Australian businesses,” Mr Jansz said. 

According to a report by The Data Institute, Australia can expect a demand for at least 17,600 additional professionals in the cyber sector by 2026. 

UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student life) Professor Theo Farrell said the Cyber Academy will pave the way for a new generation of cyber security professionals. 

“We’re proud to partner with Deloitte and TAFE NSW to roll out this program that will help address this critical cyber skills shortage and contribute to this vital area of Australian resilience and security,” Professor Farrell said. 

Graduates from the program will emerge with a Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security) from TAFE NSW and a Bachelor of Computer Science (Cyber Security) from UOW.  

Swinburne Vice-Chancellor Professor Pascale Quester said the program embodies Swinburne’s commitment to being the prototype of a new and different university for the 21st century. 

“As a dual-sector institution that is committed to helping our learners succeed in a tech-rich future, we’re delighted to be providing students with this innovative education and employment opportunity,” she said.

“The Cyber Academy reflects Swinburne’s commitment to genuine industry-integrated learning and will help our students to be job makers and job takers in the future world of work.”

Source: Minister for Skills and Training, Science, Innovation and Technology Media Release

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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