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47 percent growth in ICT demands skilled graduates
The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry is set to grow by 47 per cent in Queensland over the next six years and as a result, the University of the Sunshine Coast has been awarded additional places to introduce a Software Engineering degree in addition to the already popular Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology (BICT).
The increased demand for software engineers is due largely to most of our world being controlled by software - from microwave ovens to tracking courier parcels. For example there are over 300,000 lines of computer code in a cellular telephone, millions of lines in new cars and tens of millions of lines in aeroplanes.
“The demand for software has risen steadily for years and a shortage of skilled engineers worldwide, may well lead to a slow down in the introduction of new products or services or quality upgrades,” said Christian Krauter, a Systems Engineer at Secure Your Domain in Buderim.
USC will be one of only two Australian universities to offer the three-year degree in software engineering and the only university to add a number of business-related courses to the program structure.
“Unlike ten years ago, employers are seeking graduates who not only have the required ICT skills but who are also skilled in communication, particularly at a business level,” Lecturer in Information Systems at the University, Wayne Clutterbuck said.
“The Bachelor of Software Engineering provides students with a more quantitative skill set than the current ICT degree by including a small number of courses that develop a student’s analytical problem solving skills.”
The existing BICT degree at USC is highly recognised by both industry and professionals and is also unique in its flexibility when compared to other universities across Australia.
The industry studies program provides students with a number of options including industry certification, internships and a selection of courses specific to particular ICT careers to enhance their career selection.
“This type of flexibility, coupled with the eight course ICT major and foundation business courses, provides students with the skills, knowledge and experience to undertake an exciting career in ICT anywhere in the world,” said Jeanette Van Akkeren, Program Leader and Lecturer in Information Systems.
“We are also encouraging female students to consider this career path as it is well known that women have highly successful careers in ICT and there is a state and federal government push for more women in this field.”