7 awesome things you can learn from studying ICT

ICT (short for “Information Communication Technology”) refers to our everyday use of communicative and data processing technologies. Whether it’s using our laptop to send an e-mail, our phone to make a video call, or simply surfing through the internet – all such activities rely on basic ICT skills and related devices to perform successfully.

With most transactions and social connections now formed in the digital world, ICT expertise has become an increasingly valuable commodity. As technologies advance, so does demand for those capable of managing, maintaining, and implementing them in the modern workplace (as well as spurring further innovation and development).

The Australian market is currently battling an ever-growing skills gap for ICT roles, with efforts made to encourage education and training in the area. As the broad field it is, individuals can choose from a variety of tech-related specialisations, along with basic IT skills beneficial to any industry.

Below, we outline seven top skills one can acquire from studying ICT.

Data management and processing

A core element of the ICT field is the ability to seek, develop, manage and process data with the right digital tools. After all, data plays a key role in communicating results, trends, and consumer patterns within a business; and serves as the backbone of web and app development.

Through studies in ICT, you’ll discover the best software, practices, and the required programming languages to boost data management and processing efficiency. Students will explore crucial tools from basic programs such as Microsoft Excel to more specialised, analytical platforms such as ZAP, Improvado, and Cohesity.

With sharp data management and processing skills, aspiring ICT professionals can help minimize operational errors, aid decision-making, improve compliance and keep in time with changing market needs and technological advancements within their business. With 95% of C-level executives deeming accurate data as an integral part of their business strategy – such expertise is invaluable.

Cloud computing

With 42% of Australian businesses onboard, cloud computing has become a digital mainstay across industries nationwide. Its emergence in IT has boosted ICT technologies with its ability to streamline collaboration, improve customer service, and allow for flexible or remote work practices.

The soaring relevance of cloud computing as a billion dollar industry (forecasted to reach $623.3 billion by 2023!) makes it a hot topic in ICT-related education; with education providers (such as the Lumify Group) offering specialised training in various cloud platforms, such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

Acquiring cloud computing skills can help you increase the efficiency of cloud migration among businesses, enhance cloud security, optimize automation tools, and integrate their platform’s machine learning and AI capabilities into everyday operations or suited work projects.

Web development

Social media, instant messaging, teleworking and online research – these daily communications (and plenty more) are owed to the specialised efforts of web developers and designers. Without their skills in website creation, configuration, and maintenance; we wouldn’t have the world wide web as we know it today.

With interactions and transactions dominating the online realm, web development is a popular subject in ICT education. Undertaking a specialised course allows you to hone the necessary skills to build engaging, dynamic websites that convert potential consumers and offer user-friendly viewer experiences.

As Australian internet subscribers grow by the year – along with improved technologies and the rising trend of having an online business presence – so does demand for web development skills. With industry predicting strong growth in the coming years, creating a likelihood of 10,000 job openings in the near future; the field remains an attractive, lucrative career path for many.

Online collaboration

Studying ICT can sharpen your knowledge of the available tools, software, and platforms for streamlining online collaboration with other teams and employees. Such tasks can be as simple as adding meetings or events to a shared work calendar; or involve more complex, ongoing activities such as projects accessed through Google Drive.

Understanding and training yourself in crucial collaborative technologies can effectively boost communication, operational efficiency, and mobility in the workplace. For aspiring or current managers, optimising these tools can help you seamlessly enact telecommuting opportunities – as they maintain clear, precise delegation of tasks and interaction among workers despite geographical location.

Statistics show that most employers deem team collaboration as “very important”, while at the same time, citing ineffective or a lack of collaboration as the cause of workplace failures. Thus, acquiring these skills not only raises your employability, but allows you to streamline and enhance processes within a business.

Programming

With rapid developments and growth in technology, businesses are growing increasingly reliant on coding expertise. It’s the “language of the modern world”; the skills that enable regular use of the smart devices, internet platforms, and digital communication tools we currently take for granted. Without programming knowledge, the ICT field – as we know it today – would cease to exist.

AI-powered machines and automated technologies are expected to replace over 44% of Australian jobs in the coming decades; making programming skills a must in future-proofing careers. Learning the language of tech innovation can help you ride the changing, ever-digitised tides – regardless of your industry.

Unsurprisingly, software and application programming roles in Australia have rapidly increased since 2016, adding about 33,000 jobs to the market. These numbers sadly fall behind the rising need for such skills, creating a growing skills gap in the national job market. Individuals are thus encouraged to pursue STEM-related studies, with schools currently employing a “digital technologies” curriculum to help young students equip themselves with the coding skills required for future employment.

Cyber Security

With much of our communication performed over the web, cybercrime is an imminent threat. The Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting network has noted over 64,528 reports made in the 2018 to 2019 financial year. 964 of these were data breach notifications, 60% of which were malicious, criminal attacks.

Ransomware, malware, phishing scams, and plenty more – all such tactics run rampant on the world wide web, with hacker methods growing in sophistication by the day. Identity theft and fraud are just two of the most common types of cybercrime in Australia.

With the notoriety of online crime, cyber security has garnered high priority among businesses nationwide, with 90% planning to increase their cyber defence budget. Acquiring skills in network protection, malware analysis, programming and intrusion detection can help in pursuing a lucrative cyber security career, with plenty of courses now available amongst ICT education providers.

Hardware skills

Finally, pursuing studies in ICT can familiarize one with basic computing and communications hardware. This can include the use of everyday smart devices and computer equipment (such as printers, scanners, projectors ,and internet modems) – to more technical skills such as driver configuration and network maintenance.

Hardware management skills are particularly valuable for those seeking computer technician roles, though are generally beneficial to any worker, regardless of profession. With our reliance on computers and digital devices, the ability to troubleshoot, maintain, and update them can help create a more seamless, secure, and efficient workplace experience.

According to Career Tool Belt, an expertise in internet connectivity and related equipment, computer system maintenance, and configuration of drivers and external components are three prized skills for creating a stand-out ICT resume.

Looking to study ICT?

As discussed, the ICT field offers a wide variety of tech-related skills to enhance any profession – be it a specialised IT role or otherwise. Lumify Learn provides comprehensive training in the areas of cyber security, website development, and general IT knowledge; helping you develop the expertise required to pursue a lucrative tech career, or simply future-proof your career in an increasingly digitised workforce.

Best of all, all courses are delivered 100% online (and supported by industry experts every step of the way), helping you tailor your studies according to your personal schedule.

Dive into the growing world of ICT, and enquire with us today.