Ngaree Ah Kit

Minister for Corporate and Digital Development

Paul Kirby

Minister for Business, Jobs and Training

Media Release

Building a strong local workforce through local training opportunities

7 February 2023

The Territory Labor Government is building a strong local workforce in partnership with the Federal Government by providing hundreds of locals the opportunity to upskill in cyber security.

A $3.2 million partnership between the Federal Government, Northern Territory Government and Charles Darwin University (CDU) will deliver two new VET cyber security courses, scholarships and new cyber trainee opportunities to build a network of job-ready cyber defenders in the Territory.

The initiative is funded by $1.41 million from the Federal Government’s Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund, $1.09 million from CDU and more than $730,000 from the Northern Territory Government.

The partnership funds 100 places in a new Certificate IV in Cyber Security to provide practical training in identifying security vulnerabilities, analysing and responding to cyber incidents, securing devices, network security and programming.

Fee-free places are available to eligible people, which includes women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and regional and remote Territorians.

There is also a new Certificate in Cyber Management three month course that will help businesses and organisations protect against cyber threats by developing skills in cyber risk management and staff awareness.

The partnership funds 200 places in the short course, with 60 fee-free places available to those working in regionally-based organisations or Aboriginal enterprises across the Territory.

The NT Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Charles Darwin University to promote the Certificate in Cyber Management to enterprises across the Territory.

More information on the funded and fee-free cyber security training opportunities can be accessed at: [https://www.cdu.edu.au/study/vet-information-technology]

Quotes attributable to Minister for Corporate and Digital Development, Ngaree Ah Kit:

“Recent major data breaches have highlighted just how critical cyber security is for the nation, for the Territory, for every business and every individual.

“By providing these funded and fee-free opportunities and developing a Cyber Territory Skills Hub, we are bolstering the Territory’s local capacity to deal with any emerging cyber threats.

“This investment will grow the cyber security workforce and equip businesses and organisations to better understand and manage their cyber risk, including where to seek specialist services.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Business, Jobs and Training, Paul Kirby:

“There is a national shortage of cyber security professionals, and the demand for this skillset will continue to grow. This is why we are partnering with the Feds to produce a highly skilled local workforce.

“Upskilling our workers in key industries is our priority and will help grow the Territory workforce.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling:

“The Federal Government aims to make Australia the world’s most cyber secure nation by 2030.

“Our new Cyber Security Strategy will increase our whole-of-nation cyber security efforts to protect Australians and our economy, and ensure critical infrastructure and government systems are resilient and cyber-secure.

“We will build sovereign capabilities to tackle cyber threats and manage emerging threats to the economy, including growing and sustaining a national cyber workforce.

“This is a great opportunity for young Territorians to skill up for the industries of the future, and I’m very pleased to have brought this funding to the Territory.”

Quotes attributable to Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Scott Bowman:

“It is critical to provide cyber security study in the Northern Territory as it is a growth sector with significant skills shortages across the nation.

“CDU is really looking to further investment in training and development in the cyber security space in order to increase opportunities for young people to pursue careers in the digital industry.

“This is a great initiative between CDU, the NT and Australian Governments to fund new training opportunities with a focus on people from diverse and non-IT backgrounds.”

Northern Territory Government

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