Digital Territory Strategy

Initiative

'Accelerate' articulates the Department of Education's commitment to improving education outcomes through use of technology, information and data.

Overview

The Department of Education's strategy 'Accelerate – Education for all with technology and information 2019-2022', identifies the approach to accelerate improved education outcomes through use of technology, information and data.

The strategy takes a human centric approach, addressing the needs of students, teachers, school leaders, families and partners and links these to both foundational and transformational priorities for the next three years.

The strategy operationalises the direction of the 'Education NT Strategic Framework 2018-2022', Digital Territory and STEM in the NT 2018-2022, articulating a cohesive vision and practical approach to use digital, data and information in an educational context to accelerate improved education outcomes.

Benefits

'Accelerate –Education for all with technology and information 2019-2022' provides the framework to enhance the use of technology for teaching and learning, and improve access to information to increase student, school and system performance.

Initiative

A new position for an associate professor in cyber security was created at Charles Darwin University in 2018, funded through a NT Government grant.

Overview

The position enables postgraduate courses in cyber security to be offered at the university, enhancing the NT's ability to participate in the cyber security industry.

Cyber security skills are in growing demand and this initiative will develop students for future jobs in this field.

Benefits

Specialist cyber skills, capabilities and knowledge can be developed locally through dedicated cyber security programs and qualifications that are now being offered.

The additional courses offered will benefit local students and potentially attract international students to the NT.

Initiative

Investigate the benefits and costs of implementing a common eLearning platform to deliver training and skills development for NT Government staff. 

Overview

Examine eLearning systems and processes currently being used across agencies, consider business needs and identify gaps or changes required.

Develop a business case in 2020 for options to establish an enterprise-wide eLearning platform that will effectively support staff development needs across government.

Benefits

A common eLearning platform will offer efficient and cost effective training and skills development by providing consistent, higher quality learning resources and improved monitoring of progress and outcomes for participants.

Initiative

Improving the digital know-how of Territory seniors.

Overview

Digital programs specially designed for seniors have been successfully delivered through free workshops in the local library in Alice Springs teaching seniors how to use mobile devices and access services online.

Benefits

Digital knowledge benefits Territorians in all age groups to better manage everyday life and to be confident in an increasingly online world.

Seniors with limited exposure to digital technology can learn to master the basics, improve their digital literacy and be less vulnerable to cyber scams.

Initiative

Construct a state-of-the-art STEAM Centre at Darwin High School.

Overview

The NT Government has awarded a contract for $15.9 million to build a contemporary STEAM Centre at Darwin High School.

This infrastructure will complement and enhance the STEAM centre of excellence established at the school.

Benefits

A dedicated facility for teaching STEAM skills to secondary students will enhance learning experiences and make it easier for students to develop core knowledge and digital competencies.

2019 progress update

The purpose built STEAM centre at Darwin High School was opened in October 2019.

The centre supports integrated learning opportunities for students to apply their Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics knowledge, working collaboratively to produce projects or solve complex problems.

Initiative

Participate in the Australian Cyber Security Centre national cyber security exercises.

Overview

The NT will participate in national cyber security exercises to test incident response and inter-jurisdictional arrangements under Australia's Cyber Incident Management Arrangements.

The program uses exercises and other readiness activities to practice strategic decision-making, operational and technical capabilities, strategic engagement and communications required to effectively respond to cyber security incidents.

Benefits

The exercises ensure NT Government incident response plans are regularly reviewed and tested to ensure an effective response and recovery following a cyber incident.

Initiative

Participate in the 'NT Preschool STEM Games' supporting preschool teachers to deliver STEM-based learning in a fun and engaging way.

Overview

In partnership with the University of Melbourne, the NT 'Preschool STEM Games' support preschool teachers to deliver STEM-based learning in a fun and engaging way. Identified as part of the 'STEM in the Territory Strategy', these games are designed to develop children's transferable, STEM thinking skills using everyday materials.

Benefits

The games support the building of curiosity for science in early childhood learning and provide opportunities for children to explore these concepts in line with their particular interests.

The games will assist to provide the foundational skills for STEM studies in later years of schooling.

Initiative

Digitise, update and expand the government's cyber security awareness program to reach more Territorians.

Overview

The NT Government has delivered a substantial cyber security awareness program over the past two years for small businesses, government staff and the local ICT industry. The programs have been open to the public with briefings provided in city and regional centres.

It is time to transition the program to a digital format with sessions to be available online by 2019. This will enable a range of digital programs to be incrementally created that are tailored to particular audience groups, needs and skill levels.

Benefits

Moving cyber security education into a digital program will enable the NT Government to reach a wider audience and will allow business owners, community groups and interested people to work through the information when and where it is convenient for them.

Tailored programs will make it easier for people to find information that suits their circumstances and take steps to protect themselves online. Digital programs tend to cost less than non-digital alternatives. This will enable the suite of programs to be expanded and extended to a broader range of audience groups.

2019 progress update

The government’s cyber awareness program was digitised in 2018, delivering a digital internal end user awareness campaign for NTG employees and releasing video training tools for the small business and community sector on the becybersmart website.

The program was also expanded in 2018 to include a focus on the Defence supply chain for the business community.

Digitisation will also be a feature in the 2019 program with the release of a social media cyber awareness campaign aimed to support the seniors and indigenous community.

Initiative

Plan the establishment of a Cyber Security Operations Centre to increase government's capability to detect, analyse and respond to cyber security incidents, in conjunction with service providers and external agencies.

Overview

The Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) will house the cyber security team responsible for monitoring and analysing the NT Government's networks hardware and systems on an ongoing basis using a combination of technology solutions and a strong set of operational processes.

CSOC staff will work closely with service providers, suppliers and incident response teams to ensure cyber security issues are addressed quickly upon discovery.

Benefits

The CSOC will improve cyber security incident detection through continuous monitoring and analysis of data activity.

By analysing this activity across the NT Government's networks, computers, servers, and databases around the clock, the CSOC will ensure timely detection and response of cyber security incidents.

Initiative

Plan approaches with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to deliver cyber security VET courses in the NT to increase the number of cyber skilled workers.

Overview

The expected growth in cyber security jobs requires fresh approaches to meet demand. This includes helping people from various backgrounds transition into the industry.

This initiative will examine ways to build cyber security VET training programs; either through new dedicated cyber security VET certificates or expanding/modifying the training content for existing certificates.

Benefits

VET training will provide a pathway for entry into the cyber security industry that would not be feasible through only higher education entry points.

This will allow more trained and knowledgeable people to fill the expected future cyber security jobs and will grow the digital workforce.

2019 progress update

CDU has secured funding for a VET cyber security laboratory and plans to introduce a Certificate IV in Cyber Security in 2020 using a national course developed in collaboration with key industry sectors.

During NT Youth Week, and coinciding with school holidays, the Alice Springs Public Library partnered with Central Australian Youth Link Up Service (CAYLUS) to provide a 'Geek in Residence' program that provided access to computers, iPads and digital training for youth.

This program was delivered by local young 'geek' trainers who delivered fun and educational digital activities that generated lots of interest, input and participation from young people.

Teenagers were taught technical and programming skills developing music, digital gaming and more. These free sessions have been extremely popular with youth in the community and participation has been growing.

The 'Geek in Residence' program won both the community award and the Industry Gold Award at the inaugural NT Digital Excellence Awards in 2017. The program highlights the positive results that can be achieved by partnering with the community.

Initiative

Transition from paper to online testing for the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests and the South Australia Certificate of Education (SACE) exams taken by senior secondary students.

Overview

National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a national test taken by eligible students annually by students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

The South Australia Certificate of Education (SACE) exams are taken by Senior Secondary students in their final years of schooling.

Both test programs are transitioning from paper to online testing.

Benefits

These tests provide school and student results that allow for measurement of performance against national peers. This provides school systems and governments valuable data to support quality teaching and learning and school improvement.

Online assessment enables reduced time between testing and reporting, and more engaging test design through innovative use of technology.

NAPLAN Online is a tailored test which adapts to student responses, presenting students with questions that may be more or less difficult, resulting in better assessment and more precise results.

SACE Online assessments will increase accessibility for students and the efficiency of the marking and resulting process.

Initiative

Dedicated STEM and STEAM Centres of Excellence have been set up in Darwin High School, Centralian Senior College and Taminmin College. The Centres of Excellence are providing students with the skills needed to live and work in the 21st century.

Overview

The program will be supplemented with infrastructure works at Darwin High School in 2019.

Benefits

More and more jobs are including digital capability, requiring workers to have a new set of foundational skills in order to be competitive and succeed.

Territory schools are addressing this paradigm shift to STEAM skills for students and encouraging students to focus on digital careers.

The Centres of Excellence assist students to achieve their potential.

Initiative

Extending digital skills challenge events to children in regional centres.

Overview

Children in regional areas will have opportunities to participate in digital challenges and learn new skills so they can succeed in the digital jobs market.

Digital skills programs successfully delivered in Darwin are being taken to Territory regional and remote centres to reach more NT children. Digital solutions, drone programs, LEGO® League competition, Coding Camps and RoboCup Junior competitions programs are fun learning activities that excite and engage children and foster their natural interest in learning while gaining valuable digital skills.

Benefits

The interactive fun digital programs delivered through schools and libraries will give Territory children access to new digital concepts, learnings and experiences while encouraging digital creativity.

Learning digital skills will allow regional students to prepare for future digital jobs and businesses in their home communities and skills for the future workforce.

2019 progress update

Students across the Territory are participating in digital skills challenge events as one way to encourage team work and digital creativity.

LEGO® League tournaments were held in Darwin and Alice Springs, and a set of digital challenges have been released as part of the National Innovation Science Agenda.

These online resources mean all schools can embed digital challenge events into the broader educational programming at their school.

Initiative

Encourage participation in digital careers through Digital Futures events.

Overview

Benefits

The events will encourage people from diverse backgrounds to pursue digital careers by highlighting the expanding range of skills and capabilities being sought by employers.

Increasing the numbers of people with digital skills will also ensure business and government have qualified staff required to support the digital transformation of their operations.

View a video showcasing this initiative of the Digital Territory Strategy.

Initiative

Qualifying data scientists in the NT through Charles Darwin University (CDU) masters degree program.

Overview

Data scientists are in high demand in Australia. Local education options in this field have grown with the introduction of masters, graduate diploma and certificate programs in data science at CDU.

These new courses expand the suite of ICT qualifications available locally. CDU aims to grow the program to 36 students over four years.

Benefits

A well regarded data science program will enable CDU to attract more students, both local and international students that bring revenue to the NT.

Strengthening local ICT capability by developing qualified data scientists will enable value-add data analytics and high-end research to be conducted in the NT.

Initiative

Industry Buildskills Program (IBP) is funded by the NT Government to support the upskilling and reskilling of existing workers in occupations and/or industry sectors affected by significant change.

Overview

Up to 50 ICT professionals from the NT are going through the program, gaining Advanced Diplomas in either ICT Project Management or ICT Business Systems Analysis.

Benefits

This program will upskill existing ICT workers.

These skills are both listed on the NT Skilled Occupation Priority List, and there are currently occupational shortages, so this program will fill those shortages.

Initiative

Cyber Security Awareness Month expanded.

Overview

Cyber Security Awareness Month expanded to a month long program in October 2017 delivering presentations in Darwin and regional centres to over 1,000 participants from Territory businesses, government and the local ICT industry.

Benefits

Attendees received useful tips and crucial information to better protect their data, systems and devices from cyber threats and scams which continue to escalate in terms of intensity, frequency and sophistication.

A number of major businesses supported this program by delivering free presentations and willingly sharing their stories and advice.

Initiative

Encouraging digital careers through cross section work readiness programs.

Overview

The ICT industry and government will develop new shared pathways to digital jobs for people seeking to enter the local industry.

Industry and government will work together to develop non-traditional and shared pathways to digital jobs through joint traineeship programs.

This will assist the industry to meet anticipated future workforce demand and create more digital jobs.

A combined working group will explore options to develop traineeships and/or work experience programs for entry-level digital jobs on a cost-share basis.

This will involve participants working in both industry and government on rotation, providing exposure to a range of digital jobs.

Benefits

Opportunities for Territorians with different experiences and backgrounds to start a career in the digital industry will be examined.

2019 progress update

Discussions are progressing between ICT Industry, NTG and Group Training NT to design a traineeship program with rotations between ICT industry and NTG. The next steps are to identify priority 'gaps' within the industry and determine an approach and appropriate training to support the timely development of capacity in these areas and engage with Government and industry stakeholders to quantify interest and participation in the program.

Initiative

Undertake a feasibility assessment of options for developing a Northern Australian remote health, science and technology park in Darwin.

Overview

A future remote health, science and technology park for Northern Australia would provide a hub for scientists, health researchers, the health industry and academics to innovate and test emerging medical science technologies that are applicable to remote environments.

Procurement action for the initial feasibility assessment will be progressed in 2018-19.

Benefits

Bringing medical science researchers and innovators together with a dedicated focus on using technology to improve remote health outcomes has potential to deliver substantial benefits to over 30% of the Territory's population who live in regional and remote communities.

2019 progress update

The Department of Health commissioned a feasibility study to investigate the establishment of a hub for scientists, health researchers, the health industry and academics to innovate and test emerging technologies for the delivery of health care.

The feasibility study revealed strong support for such a hub and demonstrated positive outcomes and returns for the Territory.

The Department of Health is working closely with partners to form the governance of the hub and to initiate select projects.

Initiative

Promote new pathways for the Master of Information Technology degrees, allowing graduates to enter with any bachelor degree.

Overview

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is modifying its three Master of Information Technology Degrees in Cyber Security, Software Engineering and Information Systems and Data Science to allow graduates to enter with any Bachelor degree, for example in business or arts.

Benefits

The new entry requirements will open up opportunities for graduates in other disciplines to gain post-graduate qualifications in information technology.

Initiative

Transforming availability and application of data to improve student outcomes from the classroom to the boardroom.

Overview

Use of quality, relevant data is essential to informed decision making for the benefit of every student across the Territory.

The program of work invests $7 million in expanding the availability of quality data and information and facilitating transformation of the way this is used for the benefit of students across the Territory.

This program prepares the department for the changing digital environment of Open Data and strengthening of the knowledge economy.

Benefits

Decisions in all areas of the organisation, from the classroom to the boardroom, will be supported and based on strong evidence and information.

This is essential to ensure the right decisions are made to engage students, grow the student outcomes and achieve school and system improvements.

Initiative

Implement the Digital Technologies learning area and the ICT capabilities of the Australian Curriculum across NT schools to establish foundational digital capability.

Overview

It is now well accepted that children need to have STEM knowledge and digital skills to position them to compete for rewarding careers in the future jobs market.

For some years the gap between Australian students with STEM skills and the demand from employers for people with STEM knowledge has been widening. Efforts are being devoted at multiple levels to reduce this gap.

With children's natural curiosity engaged through fun digital activities, this initiative follows through with STEM education and ICT learning to build digital capability foundations that are rapidly becoming essential.

Benefits

This key initiative builds core digital skills for Territory students and underpins or links with other digital skills initiatives.

The Digital Territory Strategy clearly presents the need for STEM education to help children develop essential digital skills for future jobs.

For Territory children to be work ready in a few years, learning STEM will be a foundational capability.

2019 progress update

All NT Government schools are implementing the Australian Curriculum Digital Technologies learning area.

With guidance from the Digital Technologies in Focus Project with the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), schools have developed whole school plans to enhance digital skills of staff and students.

Teachers have also had the opportunity to build their skills in teaching Digital Technologies using online courses developed by the Computer Science Education Research group at the University of Adelaide.

Initiative

Prepare an approach for developing cyber security awareness programs designed to support vulnerable and digitally disadvantaged Territorians.

Overview

Cyber criminals are known to target vulnerable people. Government will work with the community sector to find effective ways to inform and assist digitally disadvantaged Territorians to be better protected online.

Community groups will be engaged to provide a better understanding of the cyber needs and effective learning approaches for this cohort. Community input into the development of cyber security resources such as advice and awareness education will be sought.

Development of cyber security programs that are suited to helping digitally vulnerable Territorians will be considered after this engagement stage.

Benefits

It is important that all Territorians can access support and guidance to help them remain active and protected online.

The privacy and finances of vulnerable people will be better safe-guarded, providing less opportunity for cyber criminals.

2019 progress update

Cyber security awareness programs were delivered to Senior Territorians for the first time as part of Cyber Security Awareness month in October 2018. Opportunities to develop programs for other vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are being investigated for the 2019 Cyber Security Awareness Program.

Initiative

Identify and scope new or modified courses in STEM, cyber security and digital technology to increase Charles Darwin University (CDU) programs across higher education, certificates and apprenticeships.

Overview

CDU has an initiative to grow and expand the breadth of its digital learning programs.

Traditionally ICT qualifications have been offered as higher education programs. While this remains important, it is too restrictive given the escalating requirements to apply digital knowledge in a range of occupations. VET apprenticeships and certificates now need to recognise and incorporate digital skills.

Benefits

Broadening digital learning programs should attract more interested students and increase CDU enrolments.

This initiative is complementary to other skills and jobs initiatives that, in combination, will work towards growing the digital skills base in the NT.

2019 progress update

CDU will introduce a Bachelor of Digital Enterprise course in 2020 which combines digital technology competencies with communications, business strategy and change management competencies.

The University is also trialling the delivery of micro credentials programs which allow participants to obtain certified qualifications for short courses or individual units that confirm proficiency in specific areas.

Initiative

Create a 'Remote Virtual College' will enable remote and transient senior years students to access learning 24/7 outside of the traditional physical classroom environment.

Overview

Using technology and mixed mode delivery to create a 'Remote Virtual College' provides online access to contextually relevant learning opportunities; supporting these students to engage, grow and achieve.

Benefits

Engaging remote and transient students in contextually relevant learning programs through a 'Remote Virtual College' will provide continuity of educational pathway as very remote students transition between communities.

Initiative

Build partnerships between the education sector, digital innovators and industry to grow STEM education and increase digital skills.

Overview

The Department of Education will coordinate and pursue partnerships between schools and innovation orientated organisations to strengthen the focus on STEM skills for Territory school students and highlight opportunities that are available through digital jobs.

Benefits

This initiative is another measure to help bridge the jobs gap between demand for people with STEM skills and the number of students taking STEM subjects.

Partnering with digital innovators will inspire students and encourage a focus on digital creation to enhance perceptions of the industry.

2019 progress update

Schools across the Territory are reaching out to industry and higher education partners to provide real world learning opportunities for students. 12 schools have developed partnerships with industry and research professionals through the CSIRO STEM Professionals in Schools program.

Taminmin College and Engineers Australia have worked together to develop the sySTEMic project. Through this, students visited industry partner sites to take part in problem solving of real community issues. Working closely with industry mentors, students presented their solutions to the school, their parents and the community.

Initiative

Interactive digital skills development programs sparking students' interest across the Territory.

Overview

Digital skills development programs are engaging and upskilling students across the Territory. The programs include:

• Skills 2021 – showcasing cutting-edge technology, 3D design, robotics, gaming and coding to school students
• RoboCup Junior – around 500 Darwin primary school students and over 90 students from town camps near Alice Springs have recently participated in international RoboCup competitions programming robots to dance, rescue or play soccer
• CDU Code Fair – challenged university students to apply digital technology to new apps, designs and products; solve problems innovatively; and linked students with employers.

Benefits

Children are engaged and inspired to take up STEAM subjects through creating technology, including games and robotics. Students build readiness for digital job opportunities, and skills needed to be successful in the 21st century.

Digital skills are a foundation for future digital advancement, both personally and as a community. Digital skills are more than coding, and extend to critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork and communication.

The programs provide exposure to new technology and fun hands-on learning opportunities for children, youth  and mature students.