Linfield local Conor Bowen is jumping into an in-demand career in cyber security after making the switch to TAFE NSW to get the hands-on skills he has been searching for.

He’s joining the fight against cybercrime which according to research from the Institute of Data, cost Australia more than $4.5 billion last year, with a shortage of about 2300 cyber security workers nationally – a figure predicted to grow to 17,600 by 2026.

Conor started a Degree in Business and Information Technology at university and found that he had still not had the chance to get any hands-on experience with physical network components and the lecture-style teaching was not relevant to the skills he wanted to accumulate.

“My lecture theatres were filled with one hundred, sometimes two hundred students and I found I wasn’t getting much individualised teaching or support,” Conor said.

“I decided to switch to the Certificate IV in Cyber Security at TAFE NSW in mid-2019 and could not be happier with my decision.

“Within the first week at TAFE NSW I was getting hands-on experience working with network components which I was not able to do in one and a half years of the degree.”

Current students will continue to study the Certificate IV in Cyber Security at TAFE NSW this term using web conferencing technology during scheduled class times. They can connect with their classmates and teachers in real time through this technology, which not only supports social distancing, but enables students to progress their studies and ask questions and receive feedback as they would in a normal classroom environment. Students will also be able to continue to gain hands-on training through cloud environments.

Information Security Head Teacher Matthew Cubis said the booming cyber security industry was awash with job opportunities.

“Cybercrime presents a grave threat to Australian businesses and jobs are being created as companies try to address that threat,” Mr Cubis said.

“Large businesses generally have cyber security experts in place but need an army of support workers to assist with operational measures to ensure the business remains secure.”

Conor is enjoying the practical approach to learning at TAFE NSW and the smaller class sizes, which have resulted in more one-on-one support from his teachers.

“All the teachers have current industry connections and knowledge which means they are able to share their experiences with students so we know how to address real-world problems in the workplace,” Conor said.

To find out more about studying the Certificate IV in Cyber Security at TAFE NSW, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Alice Dalley, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, alice.dalley1@tafensw.edu.au, mobile 0402 528 210.