ACS

Sometimes all it takes is meeting someone who has walked a similar path to help young people see what's possible.

In May, ACS Young Tech Ambassador Jackson Stock visited Arethusa College, sharing his journey into technology, the value of volunteering, and his plans to begin a new tech career in 2027.

For many students, hearing firsthand experiences from industry professionals can make career aspirations feel more achievable. As Arethusa College Pathways Officer Kerry Morton explained:
"Some students just assume they don’t have what it takes to obtain a tertiary qualification. Because of this, they don’t allow themselves to aspire to pathways that could connect them to a life of their dreams. Jackson quickly built rapport with our students, and showed them that careers in IT and other areas are entirely reachable for them."

Jackson connected with the students who are benefitting greatly through the alternate education programs at Arethusa College. The session sparked plenty of curiosity, with students eager to ask questions, explore career possibilities, and learn more about opportunities in technology.

Reflecting on the experience, Jackson said:
"It's clear we have a bright future in tech with these kids already thinking up original ideas, getting into the space and taking a keen interest in the technology around them. Some say we should expect a decline in tech employment within Australia in the coming years; however, it looks to me like the emerging youth are proving that statistic wrong. We just need to be able to connect with them and facilitate their emerging mindset effectively, which is what the YTA program is all about."

Now in its third year, the Young Tech Ambassadors program is proudly supported by the Queensland Government's Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, helping inspire the next generation of Queensland's technology workforce. Learn more about our Young Tech Ambassadors: https://www.acs.org.au/careers.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=YTA

As the end of the financial year approaches, many companies and professionals are reviewing what they've achieved this year. But have you taken the final step and turned that growth into recognised professional credibility?

Whether you've built new skills, led complex projects, expanded your expertise or taken on greater responsibility, certification helps validate your achievements and demonstrate your capabilities to employers, clients and peers.

ACS Certification provides a trusted benchmark of your skills, experience and professional practice, helping you stand out in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Before we take on a new financial year, take the opportunity to recognise the progress you've made and position yourself for new opportunities in FY27.

Read more on ACS certification: https://bit.ly/4uXodcq

Check out what's on at ACS: https://www.acs.org.au/campaign/whats-on-at-acs.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=whatson

🚀 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐂𝐒 𝐖𝐀 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫 🚀

The National Institute of Technology is proud to be a Partner of the ACS Western Australia Tech Summit 2026, Western Australia’s premier gathering of technology and ICT professionals.

This highly anticipated event will bring together industry leaders, innovators, educators, and emerging talent for a day of insightful discussions, meaningful networking, and forward-thinking conversations about the future of technology.

📅 Friday, 19 June 2026
📍 Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Curtin University, Bentley WA

The summit will explore some of the most important trends and challenges shaping the digital landscape, including:

🔹 Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation
🔹 Data-Driven Innovation and Decision-Making
🔹 Ethics and Responsible AI Adoption
🔹 Cyber Security and Digital Resilience
🔹 Future Skills and Workforce Readiness
🔹 Sustainable High Performance in Technology
🔹 The Future of Business in an AI-Driven World

Attendees will gain valuable insights from leading experts across industry, government, academia, and technology organisations through keynote presentations, interactive sessions, and expert panel discussions.

We look forward to connecting with the WA technology community and contributing to the conversations that will help shape the future of our industry.

What makes our newly onboarded Young Tech Ambassador Alasdair Hayes different from our other fantastic YTAs? He's inspiring parents and students to explore tech as a profession, while completing Year 12 and already gaining workplace experience with industry!

Alasdair recently delivered an engaging presentation to over 50 students and parents at Mountain Creek State High School, a member of the ICT Gateway to Industry School project. A Sunshine Coast local, Alasdair relished the opportunity to share his pre-tech career pathway to locals and develop valuable public speaking experience through highlighting his story.

Through an amazing program delivered by Cyber in Motion, Alasdair and his team (the CIM Crew) are already involved in the industry and upskilling students and interested people trough Capture the Flag competitions, cyber careers workshops and exercise programs. CIM Director Angela Champion is nurturing Alasdair and providing invaluable cyber security experiences. Through outreach like this, the next wave of cyber professionals in schools can be inspired and set on a path to a career keeping Australians safe.

“Having an ACS Young Tech Ambassador like Alasdair Hayes share his journey as part of our Cyber in Motion sessions offers invaluable insights for our students as they navigate their own digital and technical pathways. Hearing from someone at a similar stage and learning how they have proactively built the skills and experiences needed for their career, enriches the learning experience and adds real-world relevance to every CIM session.”

These presentations have benefits for both the audience and the presenter. Alasdair noted that, ‘Being an ACS Young Tech Ambassador is a fantastic opportunity to be able to share my own experience with students who may be unsure with what career path they would like to follow, while also getting the opportunity to help improve my own public speaking skills and meet industry experts.’

ACS ICT Gateway to Industry Schools (ICT GISP) Project Manager Jonathan Nalder works as the conduit between education and industry and recognises that young, future-tech leaders going above and beyond to gain experience and a name in the tech industry are perfect role models for students and parents.

The work CIM are doing to connect Queensland students to real industry pathways is a to be commended. Schools in the ICT GISP program such as Mountain Creek State High School have witnessed this first hand, and we can’t wait to see even more schools benefit from interacting with professionals like Alasdair.

Strengthen Your Professional Brand with ACS 💼 Your online presence can play a significant role in opening new career opportunities.

Join the ACS South Australia Emerging Professionals Committee for Build a Standout Professional Brand on LinkedIn, an interactive professional development event designed to help students, graduates, and early-career professionals maximise their LinkedIn presence and communicate their value with confidence.

Topics include:
🔹 Building an impactful LinkedIn profile
🔹 Personal branding and professional storytelling
🔹 Networking and industry engagement strategies
🔹 Improving recruiter visibility
🔹 Strengthening professional credibility online
🔹 Practical profile improvement tips and common pitfalls

📸 Attendees will also have the opportunity to receive a professional-style headshot to support their LinkedIn profile and professional image.

📅 Wednesday, 17 June 2026
🕠 5:30pm – 8:00pm (ACST)
📍 ACS South Australia HQ, Level 15, 45 Pirie Street, Adelaide

Whether you're entering the workforce, advancing your career, or expanding your professional network, this session will provide practical tools to help you stand out in a competitive environment.

🔗 Register here: https://www.acs.org.au/cpd-education/event-detail.html?eventId=701Om00000iIyECIA0&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic

Starting a career in Australia's tech industry can feel like a challenge, especially when you're navigating a new country, a new industry, and a competitive job market at the same time.

That's why those enrolled in the ACS Professional Year in IT have access to Professional Environment (PE) Online, a dedicated mentoring platform designed to help bridge the gap between study and employment.

Join the second session of our free webinar series to discover how PE Online can support your career journey through:
✅ Personalised mentoring from experienced technology professionals
✅ Career planning tools and industry insights
✅ Practical guidance to help you build confidence and job readiness
✅ Connections that can help you better understand the Australian workplace

You'll also hear directly from a current Professional Year student and a mentor as they share their experiences, lessons learned and tips for getting the most from the program.

Whether you're looking to learn more about the ACS Professional Year in IT program, strengthen your employability, or gain a clearer path into the Australian tech sector, this session will provide valuable insights to help you move forward.
📅 Register now: https://www.acs.org.au/cpd-education/event-detail.html?eventId=701Om00000cJCytIAG&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic

If your work never seems to slow down, taking time to switch off is just as important as staying switched on.

Whether it's catching the latest blockbuster, planning a night out with friends, or simply taking a well-earned break, ACS members can access exclusive discounts on Hoyts and Event Cinemas eGift cards, along with offers across technology, travel, dining and entertainment.

Check out the offers available: https://rewards.acs.org.au/gift-cards

It's one of the many ways ACS delivers value beyond professional development, helping members save on the things they enjoy every day.

Not a member and curious about ACS Rewards? Find out more: acs.org.au/rewards

*T&Cs apply. Check individual rewards listings for offer details.

But behind every pathway is a personal story shaped by ambition, resilience, opportunity, and growth.

Join ACS South Australia for an insightful panel discussion exploring migration, career development, leadership, and community impact across Australia’s professional landscape.

📅 Wednesday 25 June 2026
🕠 5:30pm – 8:00pm
📍 Torrens University Adelaide

Together, the panel will explore:
- Key moments that shaped their professional journeys
- The importance of mentorship, networks, and community
- Adapting to local industry expectations and workplace culture
- Opportunities for employers and institutions to better support talent
- Practical advice for students and emerging professionals navigating similar pathways

This session focuses on lived experience, practical insight, and authentic conversation.

With expected attendance from students, emerging professionals, industry leaders, and Fellows, the evening will provide an opportunity for connection, reflection, and shared learning across South Australia’s technology and business community.

We look forward to welcoming you for an engaging evening of conversation and networking, register now: https://bit.ly/4fSnbd7

The tech talent shortage has a solution, and she's sitting in a high school classroom. 🙋‍♀️

For six consecutive years, Saint Stephen's College and event coordinator Casey McManus have been celebrating International Girls in ICT Day with a panel and series of tech workshops. Consistency matters in this space and six years of sustained effort signals a school culture that genuinely champions the future of its female students.

At the heart of this year's event was a panel of Young Tech Ambassadors and industry professionals representing some of Australia's most exciting technology organisations.
- Michelle and Daniel from PlaySide Studios
- Former student Aiden from the QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Robotics program
- Jo from Canva Education

These professionals brought their real-world experience into the room, answering questions and sharing practical tips with over 120 Year 7 and 8 students. As research consistently shows that interest in STEM pathways begins to decline for girls in early high school, making targeted engagement at this stage genuinely impactful.

In Casey’s words, “Every year I look forward to seeing students encounter and embrace all the different options that are open to them with Digital Careers. We had some amazing panellists this year who gave engaging insights and I am so grateful for them, and everyone else who helped make this day possible for the students”.

To everyone involved at Saint Stephen's College and beyond - well done. This is how lasting change is made: one classroom, one conversation, one curious student at a time.

The Information and Communication Technology Gateway to Industry Schools project (ICT GISP) encourages partnerships between industry, government, schools and their communities to build Queensland's future information technology workforce. The project provides an important opportunity to address the significant shortfall of young, emerging ICT talent in Queensland. It is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government. Learn more at https://qldictgisp.acs.org.au