The Federal Government is tackling the IT skills shortage head-on with the announcement of a new a $15 million Information and Communications Technology (ICT) apprenticeship program.

The Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner said the new program would deliver up to 60 jobs for young people within Government agencies.

“This program directly addresses the ICT skills shortage in the Australian Public Service (APS) and provides real career opportunities in the technology sector,” Tanner said.

“It is all about investing in skills and investing in young Australians. The initiative also highlights the benefits of agencies working together to provide opportunities, produce efficiencies and develop important workforce skills.”

Tanner said the four-year APS program which is being coordinated by the Department of Finance and Deregulation will help address current and projected skills shortfalls.

Apprentices who take part in the program will receive ‘on-the-job’ experience with an APS agency and graduate with a nationally-recognised qualification. Work placements and the academic component of the program will begin in February 2008.

This announcement is the latest in a range of practical programs initiated by the Rudd Government to address Australia’s skills shortages.

Other programs include; a $2.5 billion Trades Training Centres in Schools Plan; $84 million on-the-job Training Plan - to ensure students involved in trades training received one day a week of on-the-job training for 20 weeks a year; investment of $1 billion over four years to turn secondary schools in Australia into digital schools; and Establishing Skills Australia.

Excelior Pty Ltd which is part of the SKILLED Group has been selected to deliver and administer the initiative. Excelior will work in partnership with the Canberra Institute of Technology, who will provide the academic component.