Cyber skills accelerator program

If you are a Queensland Government employee and have been thinking about how to get started in a cyber career pathway, the Cyber Skills Accelerator program might be for you!

The Queensland Government Customer and Digital Group is committed to building cyber capability and providing training to boost the cyber workforce.

The Queensland Government Cyber Security Unit (CSU) is pleased to offer Queensland Government employees three opportunities to accelerate their pathway to a cyber career as part of the Cyber Skills Accelerator program:

• IT Essentials Bridging Program—a first step for staff without IT skills or who need a refresh before expressing interest in the Certificate 4 Cyber Security
• Certificate 4 Cyber Security—suitable for staff who have either completed the IT Essentials Bridging course or who already have foundational IT skills and who want to develop skills and knowledge for cyber operational roles
• Cyber Security Mobility Program—targeting staff who have completed the Certificate 4 Cyber Security and want to build their on-the-job experience.

IT Essentials Bridging Program

Staff interested in the Certificate 4 without a background in IT or who would like to refresh their IT skills are encouraged to express their interest for the IT Essentials Bridging Program.

This practical program is designed to bridge the gap to a cyber career through development of fundamental IT skills, including the procedures needed for hardware and software installations, upgrades, and troubleshooting.

The program requires 3 hours of class time on a Wednesday from 6 to 9pm and 3 hours of personal study weekly over the 12 weeks.

Successful completion of this program has assisted staff with foundational concepts that enabled a smoother transition into the Certificate 4 in Cyber Security.

Expressions of interest for 2023 have now closed. To join our mailing list for 2024, please email cyberskills@cyber.chde.qld.gov.au.

Cost

The cost of this program is co-funded. The retail cost is $880, however the Queensland Government Cyber Security Unit (CSU) will contribute $480.  Departments will need to contribute the remaining $400 per person. You will be prompted to pay the $400 contribution during enrolment with TAFE Queensland. Please note prices are subject to change for future programs.

Certificate 4 Cyber Security

The Queensland Government Certificate 4 in Cyber Security Program is designed to develop skills and knowledge to facilitate entry into cyber security operations roles. Developed in conjunction with TAFE Queensland, the program targets:

• Level 1 IT support staff
• staff who are looking to build on their IT background and take up a role in cyber security
• non-IT staff who are passionate about pursuing a career change to cyber security (completion of IT Essentials is recommended for this group).

Your commitment

Successfully completing this program requires a significant time commitment, with a high amount of self-study required to understand the program’s theory and practice components. We encourage all students to consider whether the program will suit their lifestyle and cyber career goals. It may be beneficial discussing flexible work options with your manager, to allow you to manage your study load throughout the program.

Delivery options

There are two delivery options available to Queensland Government staff.

TAFE Queensland South Bank blended delivery

This is a 12-month program. Expressions of interest for the 2024 cohort have now closed. The 2024 Expression of interest will open in mid-2024 for the 2025 cohort. To join our mailing list for 2025, please email cyberskills@cyber.chde.qld.gov.au.

Classes are held at TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus for 1 full day per week. The program also has 2 x 3-hour online classes delivered weekly in the evenings.

Online delivery

This is an 18-month online program.

Classes are held online, 2 x 3-hour online classes delivered weekly in the evenings.

Expressions of interest for the 2023 cohorts have now closed. To join our mailing list for future online cohorts, please email cyberskills@cyber.chde.qld.gov.au. is offered by CSU to Queensland Government employees. The second intake of this pilot program commencing in July 2023 is full. To register your interest in future rounds, please email cyberskills@cyber.chde.qld.gov.au

Cost

Program costs for future cohorts are to be determined.

Cyber Security Mobility Program

The Cyber Security Mobility Program is a unique capability development program designed and hosted by CSU to support our Certificate 4 Cyber Security alumni to gain relevant, on the job cyber security operations experience.

The first pilot of this program commenced in mid-2022 with two successful applicants joining the CSU as Cyber Technology Officers for up to 12 months.

During this time the mobility participants will be exposed to a range of cyber activities (e.g., security operations centre duties, DMARC, cyber exercising, etc) that will help them kick start their cyber careers in Queensland Government and create job ready cyber talent for departments.

Queensland Government Certificate 4 Cyber Security alumni will be invited to apply for this program directly as positions become available.

More information

Contact cyberskills@cyber.chde.qld.gov.au or subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates.