Top 5 Careers to Pursue with an ICT Diploma

Australia’s Information and Communications industry continues to be one of the nation’s leading fields, expected to rake in $139 billion by 2020 (and comprising 7% of the country’s total GDP). Employment hit an all-time high in 2018, with a total of 247,600 ICT workers – projected to only further expand until 2023.

To top it off, the sector ranked as Australia’s fifth top-paying industry in 2018, with ICT roles offering an average advertised salary of $104,874. Jobs in this field dominated the highest-paying in the country; of the top 20, six were of the ICT industry.

With such lucrative careers, it’s no wonder both program and subject enrollments for this field boast consistently high figures. As innovations in the digital economy continue to flourish, so will the demand for those with the right training and skillsets.

If you’re looking to work in the ICT sector, we’ve outlined five high-paying, high-employing careers you can pursue with an ICT diploma.

ICT Manager

As an ICT manager, you will be responsible for the digital and telecommunication systems within a business. This involves overseeing the development, maintenance, coordination and security of such technologies according to organisational needs. Much of your role will also be dedicated to the forming ICT policies, plans, and strategies to progress the company.

This role would be ideal for the natural leader; one skilled in critical thinking, communication, and working with diverse groups of people. Of course, a high knowledge of computers and digital technology is a must, as you’ll be striving to provide and manage top-quality telecommunication structures in your business.

Job Outlook states that you’ll typically require a formal qualification to work as an ICT manager. Diplomas are in the top three pathways into this role, with 14% of workers at this education level. The occupation is expected to experience strong growth in the next five years, jumping from 58,800 workers in 2018 to 67,000 in 2023.

Work can be found in most regions of Australia, with higher-than-average weekly earnings of $2,766.

ICT Support Officer

Like ICT managers, support officers in the field are skilled with interpersonal communication. Their job is more focused on customer service, offering help and advice on the business’ products and services. The role requires an in-depth knowledge of hardware and software requirements to produce effective solutions for common technical problems.

Along with customer assistance, ICT support officers oversee the maintenance and delivery of such products. They may also be involved in website design and support, along with installation of new company software. Professionals in this field commonly work in a call centre.

According to Job Outlook, VET (vocational education and training) courses are a common educational pathway for those pursuing this career. Diplomas are among the top four qualifications held by workers in this field, comprising a total of 18.6%.

A course like ICT50220 – Diploma of Information Technology (Advanced Networking), in particular, delves into the design, configuration, and diagnosis of IT networks – skills that would prove valuable for this role. The industry is expecting strong growth in the years to 2023, with an estimated 77,900 workers.

Work can be found in most regions of the country, with a wage of around $1,498 per week.

Network Administrators

Among the most high-paying ICT roles in the country, network administrators are responsible for the setup and upkeep of a company’s computer networks. This involves maintenance of the necessary hardware and software systems, and troubleshooting when necessary. At times, they may be required to design and implement new networks for the business.

Responsibilities can vary depending on the size of your company; those working at smaller firms may have the added duty of maintaining peripheral equipment such as computers, printers, or routers. They also ensure that all licenses are paid for and updated.

Those pursuing this role must have strong grasp on both systems and operations analysis, systems evaluation, and problem-solving. Of course, much of your required knowledge will involve computers, electronics, and the use of telecommunications.

The occupation is set to experience strong growth to 2023, from 31,600 workers in 2018, to 35,200 over the next five years. Many workers enter the field with a VET qualification, with 18.5% holding a diploma or advanced diploma.

Employment can be found in most regions of Australia with a high wage of $2,021 per week.

Front-End Web Developer

Web development plays a vital role in modern business. Without a strong online presence, one will likely fall behind in today’s increasingly digital market. It isn’t enough to throw a bland, basic site together either – with thousands of Australian businesses dominating the online realm, you’re going to need ways of standing out.

Statistics show that 94% of website visitor’s first impressions are design-related. Ensuring a professional and engaging layout for a company website is thus crucial in converting sales; and this is where front-end web developers come in.

In this role, you’re in charge with the look and feel of a website, developing design concepts for the best possible user experience. You’ll be weaving visual creativity with back-end programming languages to create an engaging, high-functioning site; and communicate with network administrators on web-related issues and requirements.

Plenty of front-end web developers hold a VET qualification, with 13% entering the industry through a diploma. A course like ICT50220 – Diploma of Information Technology (Back End Web Development) would be particularly ideal, as this would delve into principles of creating dynamic, innovative web pages through a variety of web languages.

Job Outlook statistics show that the occupation will experience strong growth in the coming years, from 15,000 workers in 2018 to 18,000 by 2023. Work can be found in most Australian regions (particularly Victoria), with a slightly higher-than-average wage of $1,596 per week.

Programmer

Finally, we have programmers. Those looking to pursue this career path are in luck – the occupation experienced consistent bursts of growth since 2015, with no signs of slowing down. In fact, workers are expected to increase from a total of 121,300 in 2018 to 16,800 in 2023, according to Job Outlook data.

A report by the National Broadband Network (NBN) has even predicted up to 50% of Australian employees requiring high-level programming and coding skills by 2030. With increasing digitisation in business, the numbers aren’t surprising.

As a programmer, you’re in charge of researching, designing, and developing program code according to user, system, and technical requirements. Proficiency in Javascript, C++, HTML5, PHP and other programming languages are a crucial requirement for this role. Troubleshooting, updating, and documenting program code are also common aspects of the job.

Job Outlook shows plenty of workers are VET-qualified, with 6.2% holding a diploma or advanced diploma. Though a relatively smaller percentage, one can use this qualification to enter a bachelor’s degree program – the most common education level among programmers.

Keen to work in the ICT industry?

If you’re looking to enter any of these occupations (or the ICT industry in general), Lumify Learn offers students with vendor-certified, nationally-accredited diploma courses to acquire the skills you need. Such qualifications include those previously mentioned (the Diploma of Website Development and the Diploma of Information Technology); with online, flexible delivery to suit your schedule. Kick-start your ICT career and enquire today.