What can I do with my TAFE qualification?

Information and Communication Technologies

Please note: the information contained in this document was current as of January 2011 Refer to www.swinburne.edu.au/courses/ for the most recent updates. Refer to the School of Information and Communication Technologies website www.tafe.swinburne.edu.au/ict/ for further information and a list of the courses offered in this area.

The Australian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is a dynamic industry spanning a diverse array of businesses in areas from computer hardware and software, networking and communications to the Internet, telecommunications, multimedia and more.

As technology becomes ever more entrenched in our modern lifestyle, enabling every aspect of commerce, government, education, communications and entertainment, the ICT sector is playing an increasing role in driving economic growth and prosperity, accounting for 6% of GDP and 13.8% of total investment in Australia.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), ICT makes a greater contribution to the economy than agriculture, forestry and fishing, defence and education.

For further market and industry information relating to your discipline, please refer to:

Swinburne TAFE offers an extensive range of courses in the information and communication technologies field. Students can complete courses in the areas of network engineering, computer systems, software development, website development and computer science. Graduates from these Swinburne TAFE courses may gain employment within the information technology and telecommunications industries, in both the public and private sectors. These courses also provide a strong foundation for students who are interested in progressing to further study.

General courses in Information Technology provide students with significant exposure to the major operating environment such as Microsoft Server, Novell Netware Server and Linux.

Students who study in the field of networking/systems administration can obtain employment in the fields of network engineering and network management. These courses provide training in a range of relevant skill areas including the selection, installation and management of computer networks, and providing general client support.

As a networking professional, you may research, analyse and recommend strategies for network architecture and development, implement, maintain and configure network hardware and software and troubleshoot and provide user support. Job prospects for networking professionals are good, with weekly earnings above average. The main employing sectors of computer network professionals are professional, scientific and technical services, information media and telecommunications, education and training and public administration and safety.

Jobs titles may include the following:

Students completing courses in Software /Website Development will acquire skills in areas such as program design, code development, systems analysis and design, project management and client interaction. Major studies include programming, the analysis and design of computer systems, the implementation and maintenance of systems, project management and the provision of technical advice and support. Students will gain the skills and knowledge needed to be effective in a range of information technology support roles within organisations, including determining client business expectations and needs, developing and presenting a feasibility report, automating processes and creating technical documentation.

The course prepares students to work in all areas of website development, including the integration of internal business systems with a browser interface, designing the processes and architecture of a business Internet presence, aligning the client’s web presence with its business strategy and specifying e-business application system requirements. Potential occupations are found within the computer system design (and related services) sector, one of the fastest growing in Australia.

Job titles may include the following:

Information Technology Support Technician
Programmer
Systems Analyst
Systems Designer
Web Designer
Web Developer
Database Designer
Digital Programmer
Java Developer

Upon completion of qualifications in website development students can work in ICT related areas, particularly web design and web development. Web designers plan, produce and maintain web pages using relevant software packages. Web developers plan, produce and maintain web sites and web applications using web programming, authoring, scripting, content management and file transfer software.

Essential skills required to successfully work as a web designer and web developer are active listening, programming, critical thinking and problem solving skills, especially important in order to work closely with clients and produce an outcome in line with clients’ expectations. Job prospects for web designers and web developers are good, with employment growth expected to be strong to 2014-15.

Web designers and developers can work for private consultancy studios specialising in these services or for larger organisations in the public and private sectors as in-house ICT specialists.

Job titles may include the following:

For a full list of credit pathways and requirements, see Swinburne Pathways website

For entry and admission requirements: www.swinburne.edu.au/courses

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What can I do with my TAFE qualification?

Information and Communication Technologies

References and Relevant Websites