UTS is offering micro credentials for the first time, teaching data analysis, artificial intelligence and machine learning to Telstra employees.
Teaming up with Telstra to address post-COVID skills gap
UTS is working with Telstra, Australia’s largest provider of telecommunications services, to upskill workers to meet the demands of a rapidly changing jobs market and digitising economy.
For the first time, UTS is offering micro credentials, teaching online courses in data analysis, artificial intelligence and machine learning to an initial intake of 83 Telstra employees.
Three eight-week programs have been developed in conjunction with Telstra to address an anticipated shortfall of 60,000 information and communication technology workers in Australia over the next five years.
The initiative builds on the partnership between UTS and Telstra, announced last year, to help build Australia’s technology talent and close the gap between the supply and demand of highly skilled professionals. It also aligns with the Federal Government’s desire to see a skills boost through micro credentials in the post-COVID-19 recovery.
Our partnership with UTS is one example of how business and education providers can collaborate to develop the technology skills Australia needs.
Alex Badenoch, Telstra
Telstra’s Group Executive for Transformation, Communications and People, Alex Badenoch, said: “Building a pipeline of technology talent in Australia was an urgent issue pre-COVID. We now need to boost numbers at a much faster rate to support our nation’s transforming businesses and the digitisation of our economy. Our partnership with UTS is one example of how business and education providers can collaborate to jointly develop the critical technology skills Australia needs.
“We have also been advocating for innovation in curriculum design and delivery, particularly to support the continuous learning or reskilling of those already in the workforce. Micro credentials are a great example of this and it’s encouraging to see the government also recognise the importance of these qualifications.”
UTS Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise) Glenn Wightwick said: “Data underpins most, if not all, decision-making in Australia today. It’s also a skill in high demand—but without adequate supply. Through our partnership with Telstra, we are delighted to contribute our research and academic expertise to support skill development.
We look forward to providing Australian business with expanded pools of talented workers in critical areas.
Glenn Wightwick, UTS
“In offering micro credentials for the first time, UTS also looks forward to helping to boost skill levels in the broader technology community and providing Australian business with expanded pools of talented workers in critical areas.”
The first three micro credentials are:
- Data Analysis Foundations: understand the value and power of data, master key concepts and terminology, explore clustering and analysis techniques, and begin analysing and visualising data sets
- Advanced Data Analytics: explore research and practical techniques in data analytics, covering the knowledge and capacity to initiate and conduct data mining research and development projects
- Introduction to Machine Learning: basic learning models, including decision trees and linear families, demonstrate the theory of machine learning as well as its real-world application.
The micro credentials are being delivered by staff in the UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT, with course content developed by Professor Paul Kennedy, Dr Jun Li, and Dr Mukesh Prasad. Courses involve around five hours of learning per week for eight weeks, including a weekly live online tutorial, and a further two weeks for assessment completion and submission.
While the courses have been developed in conjunction with Telstra, they are not Telstra-specific and will be open to non-Telstra learners from July.
UTS is also working to develop further micro credentials and is in discussions with other organisations about participation in the program.