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Government awards $8m in cyber grants

Eight stakeholders across academia and the research community have secured grants to fund programs aimed at supporting cyber security skills development.

user icon Charbel Kadib
Thu, 01 Jul 2021
Government awards $8m in cyber grants
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The Commonwealth government has awarded a total of $8.2 million in grants to eight cyber security projects as part of round one of the $70 million Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund.

The fund was established to promote training and career pathways across the sector through industry traineeships and work experience programs.

La Trobe University is among the grant recipients, securing $2.35 million to introduce approximately 80,000 high school students to cyber security opportunities, with support from private sector stakeholders.

Other grant recipients include:

  • an Australian Cyber Security Growth Network-led project to develop a practical Cyber Security Traineeship program, supporting about 200 participants into a career;
  • a Central Regional TAFE-led project aimed at improving the number and quality of cyber security-trained professionals in regional and remote locations across Western Australia;
  • a CSIRO-led project designed to up-skill SMEs and early career researchers in cyber security innovation, while also providing 100 university students with work experience;
  • a RightCrowd-led project offering post-graduate training with Griffith University and commercial internships with on-the-job exposure;
  • a TasTAFE-led project to establish a Cyber Innovation Training Hub offering virtual and face-to-face training;
  • a NSW Treasury-led project delivering a six-week cyber security work experience program with TAFE NSW and businesses for year 10 students; and
  • a Grok Academy-led initiative involving partnerships between school, vocational and university students and major industry stakeholders to develop cyber skills.

According to Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter, the projects would help prepare the workforce for future growth, with 7,000 additional jobs expected over the next three years.

“We know that it is vital for industry, education providers and governments to work together if we are to support and grow our critical cyber security workforce,” Minister Porter said.

“These projects will help inspire the next generation to consider a cyber security career, as well as helping to build industry capability, with experts in the field sharing their knowledge directly with small businesses.”

Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the grants form part of a broader commitment to bolstering cyber resilience across the country, supporting the $1.67 billion Cyber Security Strategy 2020.

“We need a strong cyber security workforce in Australia to meet the increasing scale and sophistication of cyber threats,” Minister Andrews said.

“Projects funded under the Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund will help grow our workforce to ensure a safe online environment for all Australians.”

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