Would you like to work in an industry that's constantly innovating, and offers a fantastic range of career opportunities?
Want a job where you get to solve problems, help people, and use exciting technologies?
Information and communications technology (ICT) is a huge part of our every day lives, and in just about every business in the world. Whether it's digital devices such as tablets and mobile phones, laptops and personal computers, complex networks and servers — or even specialist areas such as cyber security or artificial intelligence — it all needs skilled people to keep everything working.
What working in ICT can offer you
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| Follow the links to find out more about the industry, job and career opportunities, and training options. |
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Free advice, information and support
If you're thinking about training for a future career in ICT or would like some guidance choosing the right training or qualification or options for a traineeship; support with your career development plan; assistance to update your CV/resume or apply for jobs; or even help with a job application or interview — your local JSC is the place to go! Centres are located across Perth and regional WA, and all services are free.
To talk to the friendly team at your local JSC, give them a call on 13 64 64 or follow the link below to find your local centre and drop in for a chat.
What is information & communications technology?
Information and communications technology (ICT, also commonly called "IT" or "the tech sector") is the use of any computers, storage, networking and other physical devices, infrastructure and processes to create, process, store, secure and exchange all forms of electronic data and communications. Put simply, it's the business of applying technology to the way we communicate and manage information.
The ICT industry plays a critical role in almost every business in Australia, and around the world, and is Australia's third biggest industry, behind just mining and banking, and in 2020—21 it contributed $167 billion to our economy*. Western Australia is a player on the global ICT stage, with many innovative projects and programs underway and planned for the future.
Whilst some technologies have been around for many years, ICT is constantly evolving and innovating — not just the technology itself, but also the information — for example; the take up of cloud-based computing is increasing rapidly, education is moving more into online learning, online services and e-commerce are growing rapidly, and cyber security has become a key issue. People with specialist ICT skills will always be needed to ensure that millions of computers, devices, networks and systems are working to receive, send and store information.
*Source: Tech Council of Australia, The economic contribution of Australia's tech sector (August 2021)
A world of opportunities and experiences
The strong overall growth in Australian technology workers is expected to continue — it's forecast that there will be over 1.1 million technology workers in Australia by 2026*.
This means that ICT offers fantastic employment opportunities now and into the future, and you'll be able to grow your skills and knowledge as you gain experience and/or undertake further study to go for higher level or more specialist occupations.
*Source: Deloitte Access Economics, Australian Computer Society: Australia's Digital Pulse 2021
How do I get a job in ICT?
Now is a great time to consider a career in information and communications technology! Because there's a wide range of occupations within the sector, and a number of different areas you could specialise in, it's helpful to know about different job roles within the industry so that you can focus on the type of work you're interested in. Select the box below to find out more about some of the occupations and fields available in ICT.
| Occupation / Field | What you'll do | How to get there |
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| Applications support | Respond to support and assistance requests for mobile device or computer applications; provide service to clients to assist with using applications and programs. | Completion of a Certificate III or IV in Information Technology. Vendor certification may be required, depending on the applications in use. |
| Artificial intelligence (AI) | Work with computer vision and augmented virtual realities; robotics and automation; prosthetics; data science; and human language technologies. | Completion of a Certificate III or IV in Information Technology as a starting point. Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology with selected programming units. For highly specialised and/or technical roles, a university degree may be required. |
| Business analyst | Review and analyse technology-based business processes to develop solutions to achieve a specific outcome or improve efficiencies. | Completion of a Certificate III or IV in Information Technology as a starting point. Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology for more advanced skills. |
| Cloud architect | Plan, design, implement and manage and maintain all cloud environments used across the business. | Completion of a Certificate III or IV in Information Technology as a starting point. Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology with selected specialisation units, for more advanced skills. Vendor certification may be required for some jobs. |
| Computer engineer | Plan, develop and build computers such as PCs, workstations; and computer-based systems and hardware, such as those found in cars, planes, appliances, electronics, phones, communication networks etc. | Completion of a Certificate III or Certificate IV in Information Technology, with selected specialist units. Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology with selected database units, for higher level skills. For highly specialised and/or technical roles, a university degree may be required. |
| Cyber security | Detect and monitor security threats to networks, data or technology; and develop and implement strategies to protect against them. | Completion of a Certificate IV or Diploma in Cyber Security. The Certificate III, IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Information Technology may offer a cyber security specialisation stream. Short course skill sets are also available, for entry level skills. For highly specialised and/or technical roles, a university degree may be required. |
| Data analyst | Collect, analyse and interpret data to answer a question, solve a problem, or develop solutions. Translate statistics into meaningful business information and write reports. | Most of the ICT qualifications will include a unit (or units) related to data analysis and management. Check the course list for details. |
| Database developer | Design and develop databases, or repair and improve existing databases, collaborating with clients to create a solution that delivers required functionalities. Provide technical support, write technical manuals, and identify ways to organise information and data. | Completion of a Certificate III or IV in Information Technology with selected database units as a starting point. Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology with selected database units, for higher level skills. |
| Developer | Create computer software and applications; design technology solutions and features to meet business needs; and use programming language to write code. | Completion of a Certificate III or IV in Information Technology with selected development and/or programming units as a starting point. Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology with selected development and/or programming units, for higher level skills. For highly specialised and/or technical roles, a university degree may be required. |
| Help desk / Service desk / Tech support | Answer calls, emails etc from people who need ICT support or assistance with hardware or software / programs. Maintain computer networks, provide technical support, install and configure hardware and software, and solve technical issues. This can be a great choice if you're new to IT, as you'll gain a lot of skills and knowledge. | Completion of a Certificate III or IV in Information Technology. |
| IT technician (general) | Install and maintain computer networks and servers; configure new systems; and resolve ICT issues. | Completion of a Certificate III or IV in Information Technology with selected units as a starting point. Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology with selected units, for higher level skills. |
| Network administrator | Manage ICT networks including hardware such as mobile devices and computers, and software. Monitor systems and provide technical advice for optimising network performance. | Completion of a Certificate IV in Information Technology, with selected networking units. Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology with selected network engineering units, for higher level skills. For highly specialised and/or technical roles, a university degree may be required. |
| Network engineer | Plan, develop and implement computer network and system services; and troubleshoot problems. Test and document computer network behaviour, performance and security to ensure optimal performance. | Completion of a Certificate IV in Information Technology, with selected networking units. Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology with selected network engineering units, for higher level skills. For highly specialised and/or technical roles, a university degree may be required. |
| Programmer | Write, modify, and test code and scripts to enable computer software, programs and applications to function as required. | Completion of a Certificate III or IV in Information Technology with selected programming units as a starting point. Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology with selected programming units, for higher level skills. For highly specialised and/or technical roles, a university degree may be required. |
| Software developer | Create computer software and applications using programming languages to write code that performs the required functions. | Completion of a Certificate III or IV in Information Technology with selected software development units as a starting point. Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology with selected software development units. For highly specialised and/or technical roles, a university degree may be required. |
| Systems administrator | Oversee and manage computer systems, including servers and networks; install and configure new hardware and software; and advise on ICT policies and system maintenance and upgrades. | Completion of a Certificate III or IV in Information Technology with selected system administration units as a starting point. Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology with selected system administration units. For highly specialised and/or technical roles, a university degree may be required. |
| Telecommunications engineer | Work with telecommunications technology; for example internet service provision or mobile communications. | Completion of a Certificate III in Telecommunications or Certificate III or IV in Information Technology with selected software development units as a starting point. Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Information Technology with selected specialist units. For highly specialised and/or technical roles, a university degree may be required. |
One of the great things about ICT is that you could work in a range of settings across your career! The largest employer of ICT workers in Australia is the financial and insurance services sector; but others include government and public services, military and defence forces, the construction industry, agriculture, education and training, scientific and research fields, retail, manufacturing, mining, media and telecommunications, transport, healthcare and utilities such as electricity and gas — these would be predominantly in larger businesses that rely on technology for the delivery of information and services, and would have a large team of professionals supporting their ICT needs.
In a larger organisation, you're likely to have more opportunities to build a good range of skills and knowledge working with a wider range of issues and technologies. However; there's many advantages to working in a smaller business where you tend to be more hands-on. Both offer great opportunities for career progression through promotion.
Most ICT jobs are generally in a professional office setting, although jobs in industries such as mining or agriculture may be 'out in the field'.
The ICT sector in Australia was made up mostly of the following broad occupation groups / categories.
- Technical and professional including IT support
- Management and operations
- Administration and logistics support
- ICT trades such as installers
- ICT sales including retail and online shops
Of these, the technical and professional group has the highest forecast annual growth in employment to 2026, at 6.5 per cent or over 147,000 new jobs.
Source: Deloitte Access Economics and the Australian Computer Society (ACS): Australia's Digital Pulse 2021
The short answer is yes! Because information technology is constantly changing and developing, you will always be building on and growing your skills and knowledge which will open up opportunities for career progression through promotion to higher-level roles.
You can also choose to specialise in a particular area — for example; cyber security or cloud computing — which will enable you to progress your career.
Getting into leadership or management is also an excellent way to progress your ICT career. You can undertake study to gain the skills needed, or learn through on the job experience, to move into roles such as team leader; project manager or other management positions.
Am I suited to this kind of work?
Working in ICT, you will meet and work with people from all walks of life — from high level executives through to new employees, and everyone in between! Some situations can be challenging, but the work can be highly rewarding.
What skills would I need?
Employers are looking for people who can bridge the gap between user needs and digital solutions, and have communication and collaboration skills as well as technical expertise to offer. This means that in addition to the technical skills and knowledge you will gain through training and experience, you will also need a range of other skills and values to help you be effective as an ICT worker.
Select each of these skills areas below to find out more.
Most roles in ICT work as part of a team, so good teamwork skills are critical. You'll need to be able to get along with your team mates, and with people in other teams within the workplace — this means treating people with respect, listening to their opinions and ideas, helping out when the pressure's on or if someone needs a hand, and working together to get things done.
Working in ICT, particularly if you're in a support role, you'll be listening and talking to people to gather information and discuss options to solve problems or come up with solutions. You'll also be making reports and completing paperwork, which will require good writing skills. You'll also find that many people won't have the same level of technical knowledge that you do, and they may have difficulty communicating or explaining what problem they're experiencing — this will call on your ability to ask the right questions and listen carefully.
You'll also find that negotiation skills are very important for determining options and solutions.
"Problem solving" is often the main focus of what you do. Whether it's a customer who's having trouble with their laptop, a solution required to suit a particular need, or a network crash that needs an urgent fix, there's always a problem to solve!
Being able to ask questions, gather information and break a problem down into segments is a key skill of problem solving. It's important to keep a positive attitude — it's rare that a problem can't be solved, sometimes it just takes a little more time. You'll also need to know where and how to find information to help diagnose and solve problems — that may mean searching the internet, or asking more experienced colleagues.
Critical thinking is related to problem solving, but it's a part of many other aspects of ICT work as well. It means being able to come up with and consider different solutions, then using your analytical skills to determine which of those solutions will be the best for the situation.
It kind of goes without saying, that technology and technical skills will be a critical part of your work in ICT. But it's not just doing some training at the start — it's important that you keep up to date with all the latest updates and information in the tech world.
This means you may need to do regular professional development or other courses to keep your skills and knowledge up to date. You should also make sure you're familiar with all of the different programs, hardware and software used across your workplace so that you are knowledgeable about all aspects of ICT used.
As an ICT worker, you will probably find yourself listening more than talking. Active listening involves showing that you're paying attention, and that you're interested in what they are saying. It's also important to listen carefully so that you don't miss any important pieces of information. Listening to the subtleties in the way a person speaks can make all the difference in your understanding of what they are trying to communicate.
Your interpersonal skills will enable you to build rapport and trust with your colleagues— this is extremely important, because you want to feel that people respect your skills and knowledge. You'll also need to be open and honest, reliable and trustworthy, well organised, and able to stay calm in times of pressure or stress. Sometimes you'll be working on your own, and at other times you'll be working as part of a team. Your ability to work professionally, maintain confidentiality and be relied upon will be a key part of your success.
As with most areas of work, things change constantly and quickly in ICT. From handling shifting priorities through to dealing with software updates and hardware changes, you will need to be flexible enough to adjust your approach when needed and take on board new ideas or ways of working.
Creative thinking is related to critical thinking, but it involves more "thinking outside the box". It's easy to continue doing things the same way they've always been done, but maybe there's a better way. Or perhaps a new challenge has come up and there's no solution for it — you'll need creative thinking to come up with new ideas. With the constant changes in technology; including emerging technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual working, there's always a place for creative thinkers!
Although there's definitely creative aspects to ICT work, much of it is highly planned. A lot of ICT work is also project-based, and requires the coordination of people and technology to a time-based schedule.
You'll need to be a well-organised person, and able to manage your time effectively and work to deadlines. You'll also need to know how to plan out a particular task, so that you can make sure all elements of the work have been considered and included.
Explore occupations in ICT
Because the ICT industry offers a range of different occupations and job roles, it's useful to explore these further so that you can decide on the kind of work you're interested in doing.
We have hundreds of occupation profiles you can browse through — visit our Occupation profiles page here
Spotlight on: Cyber Security
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Cyber security is one of the fastest growing specialties in ICT, with a range of great jobs and career opportunities on offer. In this short video, you'll hear industry expert Dr Chris Bolan talking about the Cyber Security Operations Centre at South Metropolitan TAFE. The centre provides students with hands-on experience solving real world cyber security issues and skills and knowledge in how to explore, attack and defend cyber security threats in a specialised state of the art facility. Chris talks about how the training at TAFE is high quality and valued by employers, because it gives people not only knowledge but also practical experience to be job ready. |
Ready to start your job search?
Take a look at the following points, to help get things started.
With such a range of jobs available in ICT, the first step is to decide what kind of work you would like to do. For example; do you want to work directly with clients? Or are you more interested in a less 'hands on' role? Do you want to build things, or fix things?
It would also be useful to consider what kind of organisation or field of business you would like to be aligned with. For example, if have a particular interest in finance — you could join the ICT department at a major bank, or specialise in developing accounting software. Or if you love science — there's some exciting work happening with ICT in fields such as conservation and land management or agriculture.
You should also consider the kind of work environment that would suit you best, as they can range from a formal office-based corporate feel as part of a large team in areas such as government and large organisations; through to a more casual feel in a smaller team for a small businesses or startup company.
Finally, what level of work are you looking for? If you're starting with an entry-level position, you can expect to be working under supervision so that you can grow your skills and experience on the job. If you already have some experience in ICT, perhaps you're looking for a job with more responsibility, or you may want to get into specialist fields.
Your answers to these questions will also help you determine whether you'll need to do some training, or get a qualification, for the job you want.
To learn more about jobs in ICT, a good place to start is our occupational profiles but you can also take a look through the following websites.
- Take this quick career quiz to see what kind of role would suit you.
- View the occupation profiles on myfuture.edu,au (you'll need to register, but it's free!)
- Your Career: Occupation profiles search (look under "I")
The Get that job section of our website has lots of useful information, resources and support to help you get that job.
You can browse the full page here, or follow the links to specific information.
A career is something that takes place over your full working life. To make sure you have a successful career and get the most out of every opportunity, taking some time for career planning is a good idea — work out where you are now, where you would like to be, and how you're going to get there.
Everyone has something to offer, and everyone deserves a place in the workforce. Whether you're just starting out, exploring your options or restarting your career journey, your life experience is valuable — you have skills and knowledge you may not even know about, that can be very attractive to employers!
If you're looking for an entry level job in ICT, you may be successful with the skills and knowledge you have gained from school or working with computers and technology as part of your live experience, but most employers will look for someone with training and/or an ICT qualification. If you're after a specific occupation or looking to make a career move then skilling up through training is the way to go.
Take a look at the Do you need to skill up? section for more information about training options
Right now there's free* skill sets in ICT available, plus a range of low fee qualifications with their course fees reduced by half or more under the Lower fees, local skills program... and even better, there's an annual cap on course fees for these qualifications so you can super size your study! The annual course fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students including people aged 15—24 and jobseekers, and $1,200 for non-concession students.
We have compiled a list of all the ICT related courses here for you to browse through
*Full details about eligibility for free training or the annual fees cap are here
Want some free advice or support for your job search?
If you’re interested in a career in ICT, your local Jobs and Skills Centre can help with free advice on career planning and training to help you get there. And if you've spotted a job you want to go for, they can help freshen up your CV and even help you put your job application together. Need some tips for job interviews? They can do that too!
All services are free, and all ages are welcome
Because Jobs and Skills Centres work closely with local employees and industries, they know where the jobs are and how you can get them. And they know what employers are looking for. JSCs are located across Perth and regional WA, and all services are free. Call your local JSC on 13 64 64, or check our map to find your closest centre.
Spotlight on: Software development
Mason Crawford is a software engineer / developer whose career is going full steam ahead! Starting out with a TAFE qualification and then completing a university degree, he is now a senior consultant and loving his job.
"I get to work with some really smart individuals every day. Programming is a team sport in a very fast-moving field. The scope of the problems and the solutions to those problems are different every day." he says.
Mason describes the best part of his job as the scope of the problems he solves being different every day, and the satisfaction he gets from the "a-ha!" moment when he's able to find solutions.
Case study provided courtesy of FutureNow industry training council
Do you need to skill up?
Training options and pathways
When it comes to getting a job in ICT, or progressing your career, having skills and knowledge will really give you the edge over other applicants. There's a range of vocational education and training (VET) courses available at WA TAFEs and private training providers that can set you up to be job ready, with the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for.
Once you have identified the type of work you are interested in, and/or the occupation you're going for, you can find a course or qualification that offers the skills and knowledge you'll need to be ready for that new job or promotion.
There's never been a better time to get into training; with free courses and course fees reduced by half price or more on a range of qualifications through Lower fees, local skills!
Vocational education and training (VET)
With VET, there's a course or qualification for almost every job in ICT — from entry level through to higher-level qualifications. The following diagram provides a basic guide to qualification levels, and how they align to working in ICT.
Traineeships in ICTWith a traineeship, you are employed (and paid) while you study. The training component of your ICT traineeship is based on nationally accredited vocational education and training (VET) units of competency, and is delivered by a TAFE college or private training provider. You'll also undertake on the job learning through tasks and projects, with mentoring. On completion of your traineeship, you will receive a nationally recognised qualification. |
Existing worker traineeships in ICTIf you are already employed in the ICT industry, you may be eligible for an existing worker traineeship (EWT). These involve structured on the job learning, managed by an accredited TAFE college or private training provider, to deepen and broaden your skills and knowledge. On completion, you will receive a nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualification. |
Recognition of prior learningRecognition of prior learning (RPL) is an assessment process to evaluate the skills, knowledge and experience you have gained through training and/or life and work experience, to determine whether it meets the required standards of a nationally recognised Australian qualification. Through RPL, you may have the opportunity to gain a full or partial qualification without having to complete units where your skills and knowledge already meet the required standards — this means you can save time and money by completing a qualification in a shorter period of time. |
ICT for secondary school studentsIf you are a secondary school student and you'd like to get a head start on your ICT career, you can choose to do a Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies, or a Certificate III in Information Technology qualification as a school-based traineeship. In a school-based traineeship (SBT), you will be a full time student at school completing your Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), and also be employed part time in an ICT workplace for on the job training so that you can gain hands on workplace experience (you will be paid for this work). |
University studyIf you are seeking a professional career in a specialist role or niche area of ICT, or in a management or executive position, you may need a university-level qualification. Each university will offer a different program of qualifications, at different levels and with different entry requirements, so it's worth taking the time to read through the information on their website to help decide which study pathway you want to pursue. You can find out more about universities in WA here. |
Other options to skill up
Getting a job without any relevant skills or experience is not easy... right? In general, even entry level jobs in ICT will require some skills, knowledge and experience, and that's where other options can offer you a great pathway.
Volunteering gives you the opportunity to become an active member of your community, while helping others and yourself. It can be a great way to build a range of skills, knowledge and experience. Many volunteering opportunities are in the area of community support, and you may be able to find a volunteer role that relates to ICT — for example; assisting at an aged care facility, doing computer repairs at a local club, or helping people set up computers and devices at home.
Through volunteering, you can also gain valuable experience working with people. It's also an excellent way to network with people and organisations in your local area, to find out about job opportunities that are coming up.
If there's a particular person or organisation you would like to volunteer with, get in touch with them directly to see if they have any opportunities. You could also look at your local newspaper or community noticeboard, or check out an organisation that advertises volunteering vacancies on behalf of different groups and causes.
To find out more, visit the Volunteering WA website to see how you could get involved.
You can also contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64 for assistance with finding a volunteering opportunity.
Work experience
Although generally unpaid, work experience can be a fantastic way to get hands-on practical experience in a particular field or occupation. It's also a great way to find out whether working in ICT suits you, and is the kind of work you would like to do. Employers value skills and experience, so this can give you an advantage when looking for work.
Internships and cadetships
An internship or cadetship is work experience combined with on the job training while studying for a professional, managerial or office career. An internship or cadetship can be done by secondary school students as well as those studying at college or university, and they're a great way to skill up.
Internships are generally short term, and usually unpaid. They may lead to employment with the company but there’s no guarantee of this. An internship or cadetship is a great addition to your resumé.
Contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64 for assistance with finding a work experience opportunity, or for more information about an internship or cadetship.
Low course fees and annual fees cap
Right now a number of ICT qualifications have their course fees reduced by half or more in our Lower fees, local skills program.
There's never been a better time to get skills ready for a career in ICT!
On top of that; an annual fees cap applies for course fees on all of the low fee qualifications — this means that no matter how much your course fees actually are, you will not pay more than a set total amount for course fees per qualification or course per year.
The annual course fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students including people aged 15—24 and jobseekers, and $1,200 for non-concession students.
Full details about low fee courses and the annual fees cap are available here
Fee-free short course ICT skill sets
If you would like to do a short course to get job ready for an entry level role in ICT, or to build on your existing skills and knowledge, a skill set is the way to go! Skill sets are short courses made up of units of competency from a nationally recognised qualification, that target a specific set of skills and knowledge to meet the needs of industry or a particular job role. Because skill sets are based on nationally accredited units of competency, when you complete a skills set short course those units will provide credit towards a full qualification if you decide to do further study.
We currently have a range of ICT skill sets available, and some are 100% FREE for eligible students!*
For more information, see the list below or choose Skill sets from the Skills Ready search filter on the course list.
ICT traineeships for secondary school students
Would you like to complete an ICT qualification while still at school and get a head start on your career? A school-based traineeship (SBT) is the way to go!
SBTs are an employment-based vocational education and training (VET) program for secondary school students. In an SBT you will be a full time student at school while you do your studies with a TAFE college or registered training organisation, and also be employed part time in an IT workplace for on the job training so that you can gain hands on workplace experience (you will be paid for this work). Outside of the SBT, you will be an enrolled school student working towards completion of your Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). There's currently two qualifications available as SBTs.
| Certificate III in Information Technology |
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This qualification will give you skills and knowledge in a range of ICT areas including hardware installation and maintenance; program and application support; cloud computing; cyber security; digital media; support and customer service; configuring basic computer networks; programming; network systems; and web development. You’ll also develop your communication; teamwork; critical thinking and problem solving skills; giving you confidence to get an entry level ICT job. Find out more about the Certificate III in Information Technology here |
| Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies |
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This qualification will give you basic ICT skills and knowledge and an overview of the industry. You'll learn about a range of digital media and how it's used; how to protect and manage ICT assets; business applications such as word processing, spreadsheets and databases; digital imaging; and operating systems. You'll also develop skills in customer service; communication; teamwork; workplace health and safety; and diagnosing and solving common ICT problems. This is a good choice if you would like a pathway into further study after school. Find out more about the Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies here |
You can find out more about SBTs here, or speak to your school's VET coordinator for advice on SBTs and other VET programs available at school. You can also get free advice from your local Jobs and Skills Centre about study options while at school — call 13 64 64.
Traineeships in ICT
Traineeships are a great way to skill up for a career in ICT! You'll be able to earn while you learn, and gain a nationally recognised qualification on completion of your traineeship.
The advantage of doing a traineeship is the combination of on the job learning and formal training — you get both technical knowledge and hands on experience.
You'll be working (and paid) in an ICT environment, and completing tasks and projects aligned to your qualification — with mentoring and support. You'll also do training with a TAFE college or private training provider, to ensure that you get a broad range of skills and knowledge including areas of ICT that you may not have direct exposure to in your workplace.
The qualifications listed here are currently available as traineeships for the ICT industry, and some may include the option to select specialisation units such as gaming development; database maintenance; programming; networking; systems administration support; web development and database development. Follow the links to find out more.
To do a traineeship, you must be employed. So how do you find an employer?
- Call your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64 for free information and advice — because they work with local businesses and employers, your local JSC knows where the jobs are!
- You can go out and find an employer yourself, by searching for advertised jobs or contacting a company directly.
- There are a number of Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) providers in WA that are funded by the Australian Government to provide advice and assistance to help you find a traineeship and organise everything to get you started.
You can find out more on our Apprenticeships and traineeships page here
There's also some great information on the Australian Apprenticeships website about finding a traineeship, including some useful tips for how to approach employers.
Another option is to find a traineeship through a group training organisation (GTO).
GTOs employ trainees across a range of different industries. You are directly employed by the GTO, but they 'host' you out to an employer for work. This can be a great option as you may have the opportunity to work with more than one employer during your traineeship — giving you a wider range of experience. GTOs are experts in hiring trainees, and are fully regulated to make sure you are employed under fair working conditions as per relevant workplace legislation, and paid correctly.
Step 1: Register with a GTO
You can look through our list of WA GTOs here, and check their information to find what industry/sector and/or type of traineeship they specialise in. The next step is to register with the GTO (you can register with as many as you like) so that they have your details if a suitable vacancy arises.
Step 2: Recruitment process
You will have an initial interview with the GTO, so that they can find out more about the type of traineeship you're looking for and discuss options. If you are suitable, the GTO will either offer you a traineeship or let you know when one becomes available.
Step 3: Start the traineeship
When you start your traineeship, your GTO will help you prepare to meet your host employer. They will also provide any pre-employment training that's required; such as workplace health and safety, and the basic personal protective equipment (PPE) needed for the role. The GTO will also assign you a field officer who will be your direct contact point if there's any issues or if you have any queries. Your field officer will also monitor your training and work, and check in to make sure that everything is going smoothly.
All aspects of your traineeship through a GTO are the same as any other traineeship — it's really only the actual employment arrangements that are different; ie you are employed and paid by the GTO rather than by the company where you're doing the traineeship.
Contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64 for further information and advice about GTOs.
Find the course for you
Our course list will show you all of the ICT qualifications that are currently available at WA TAFE colleges and private training providers; including those available as a traineeship, and qualifications that can be completed as a school-based traineeship in secondary school. In the course search below, we have pre-selected ICT related sub-study areas for you. You can change this if you would like to search for other courses; and you can also use the other filters to search for a particular type of training, industry, qualification level, or training provider. To find courses that are free or have low fees, select from the options in the Skills Ready filter. |
Advanced Diploma of Cyber Security
National ID : 22610VIC | State ID : BGT52
Be a cyber defender, working in an exciting global industry at the forefront of technology! You could be part of an integral team of security practitioners on the front line protecting the integrity of your company’s security perimeter and IT network, supporting our defence forces, working in the world of banking or finance, or in a range of other industries and occupations where cyber security is critical.
Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
National ID : ICT60220 | State ID : BGJ5
Seeking a leadership role in information technology, or need some high level skills and knowledge for a specialist project or career move?
Advanced Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security)
National ID : ICT60220 | State ID : AE08
This qualification will develop your critical thinking and leadership skills, as well as a range of other skills and knowledge in cyber security risk management.
Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation and Visual Effects)
National ID : CUA60620 | State ID : AC88
Are you ready to take advantage of the huge opportunities for content creators and digital designers? If you would love to specialise in animation and visual effects, this is the perfect course to grow your career in the exciting world of animation and visual effects for film, TV, screen and media.
Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (Broadcast Radio and Podcasting)
National ID : CUA60620 | State ID : AC81
This qualification will build your skills in scriptwriting, sound design, advertising / commercials and broadcasting through digital technologies including streaming and podcasting.
Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (Digital Art & Animation)
National ID : CUA60620 | State ID : AC84
This course will build your animation and games art skills to boost your career in this exciting industry, and open up new job opportunities! The course is delivered by industry professionals, using state of the art technology and equipment. You'll learn through a combination of formal training and hands on industry projects, giving you real world experience.
Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (Digital Cinema)
National ID : CUA60620 | State ID : AC80
Through this qualification, you'll explore the nature of storytelling through the medium of digital cinema and learn how to evolve your ideas for professional creative work for film, TV, and other media.
Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (Game Art & Design)
National ID : CUA60620 | State ID : AC85
Want to create new digital worlds? Boost your career exploring new worlds through the exciting industry of game art and design. This qualification will provide you with advanced high level skills and experience in game art and design, with a particular focus on multimedia.
Artificial Intelligence Skill Set
National ID : ICTSS00120 | State ID : AE698
The world of artificial intelligence (AI) offers many exciting job and career opportunities!
Basic Open Cabler Registration Skill Set
National ID : ICTSS00084 | State ID : AD976
With this short course skill set, you'll gain entry level skills and knowledge to install, maintain and modify telecommunications customer cabling in domestic and commercial premises, in accordance with Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) requirements.
Vendor certification
Some providers of ICT programs and solutions (vendors) offer certification training programs. Examples include Microsoft Windows, Azure and Office365, Cisco, Google Cloud, Oracle, Red Hat, VMware, Ubiquiti, Linux and DevOps to name just a few.
Generally the certification is aligned with a job role but it may also be program or platform-specific, and many of the courses offer different levels of training from beginner to advanced.
If you're doing VET study in ICT; depending on the TAFE or training provider and the qualification you choose, some vendor-specific certification may be included in your training. If not, you can look into undertaking the certification training separately.
Prices for vendor certification courses vary greatly; from around $200 upwards to two or three thousand dollars or more, depending on the vendor and the program.
Do I need certification to get an ICT job?
If you have limited skills, knowledge or experience in ICT then certification training may be of benefit. And you will see some job ads that say a specific certification is required; for example if an organisation works exclusively in a Microsoft environment, that employer may highly value people who are Microsoft certified. Remember though; certification is generally vendor or program-specific, and will only cover skills and knowledge related to that vendor or program.
Which certification/s should I consider?
This really depends on the job role you're interested in, or the career goals you're pursuing. If you're currently working in ICT, or know someone who is — ask some questions and seek their opinion. There's a wide range of certifications available, from many different providers, so research is important. We also recommend speaking to the ICT Department at your local TAFE, or calling 13 64 64 to get some free advice from your local Jobs and Skills Centre.
Looking for advice on training, jobs or careers? We can help!
If you're interested in working in ICT, or what training would best suit your career goals, your local Jobs and Skills Centre can help with free advice on training, job seeking and career planning to help you get there! And because they work closely with local employees and industries, they know where the jobs are and how to help you get them. Whether you need help freshening up your CV, writing a job application, or deciding what training course is the best option for you — your JSC can help!
JSCs are located through metropolitan Perth and regional WA, and outreach services are also available in regional areas. All ages are welcome, and all services are free! Contact your local JSC to find out how they can help you.