Australian tech firms urge adoption of #ITProDayStraya

IT Professionals Day, celebrated annually on the third Tuesday of September, has received a call from two Australian technology companies, Intelliworx and Crayon, to be fully embraced in Australia.

Established nine years ago by a software company in the United States, IT Professionals Day is a day predominantly observed in the US where employers highlight outstanding technology professionals primarily on social media.

Intelliworx and Crayon are urging both the Australian government and the technology industry to bring IT Professionals Day to Australia under the banner #ITProDayStraya.

Their intention is to honour the individuals in the tech industry, highlighting the tangible benefits they provide in daily life and promoting career pathways into the sector.

The Tech Council of Australia (TCA) reports that the technology industry contributes approximately AUD $167 billion to the national economy each year and employs around 861,000 people. However, the sector still faces significant challenges. The TCA aims to increase the number of technology jobs to 1.2 million by 2030. Despite this goal, the country requires an additional 5,000 cybersecurity workers annually to meet demand and avoid a substantial shortfall by 2030.

Currently, the education system is only producing 2,000 cybersecurity experts each year, indicating a significant gap. Moreover, the TCA estimates that Australia will require an Artificial Intelligence workforce of 200,000 by 2030, a 500 percent increase over the current capacity.

Intelliworx and Crayon support efforts by the TCA to boost the tech sector workforce by advocating for greater governmental policy focus. They propose that the TCA could take a central role in an annual #ITProDayStraya campaign to raise awareness of career opportunities, mitigate skill shortages, and celebrate the contributions of technology professionals.

Shane Maher, Managing Director of Intelliworx, commented on the initiative, "Australia needs to run just to stand still in order to meet the task of stocking our economy with enough technology industry workers to meet demand. #ITProDayStraya is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on the incredible work of our tech professionals and inspire the next generation to join the industry."

"The Tech Council of Australia has already done a good job in transforming our local industry through progressive policies. We have seen effective policy advancements that have paved the way for growth and innovation. Australia's technology industry has grown up and we're looking to take the next step."

Maher further emphasised, "At Intelliworx, we assist healthcare providers and financial services companies. In our experience, the technology industry isn't a place where tickets are escalated and technology is optimised. It's a place where patient outcomes are improved and the cost of banking is lowered. #ITProDayStraya could serve as a catalyst we need to showcase the careers, address skill shortages, and celebrate the real-world contributions our technology industry workers make every single day."

Warren Nolan, Senior Vice President and Channel Leader at Crayon, also advocated for the initiative.

He stated, "At the heart of technology is the people who make it happen. #ITProDayStraya is about celebrating those individuals—their passion, dedication, and the incredible impact they have on our everyday lives. From safeguarding businesses to improving the quality of life for all Australians, these professionals are the unsung heroes of our digital age. At Crayon, we believe it's time to not only recognise their contributions but to inspire the next generation to join them."

The push for an Australian-specific IT Professionals Day aligns with broader industry goals to address significant skill shortages and stimulate interest in technology careers among younger Australians.

The call from Intelliworx and Crayon emphasises the critical role that tech professionals play in driving economic and social benefits, while highlighting the need for sustained efforts to build a robust and capable workforce for the future.