since early 90's I have been involved in User Groups as a Group Leader and in ACS at a Branch executive level. In both groups i have met, mixed and worked with amazingly talented people.
Not already mentioned, ACS has close collaboration with Universities with the "Core Body Of Knowledge" (CBOK). ACS maintains a CBOK as do Universities running courses in IT. if you are a University graduate of an IT course, your course would have been accredited by ACS. Here is a list of universities with ACS accredited courses https://www.acs.org.au/accreditedcourses-and-jobs/acs-accredited-courses ACS has saved me a lot of money on Professional Indemnity insurance apart from other member benefits. Worth investigating if you require insurance as a part of your operations. to finish off with a bit of humour, this is a linkedin contribution from Bill Malkin. Underbelly: The Case of the Decomposing Professional Body https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/underbelly-case-decomposing-professional-body-bill-malkin?trk=prof-post PG On 2 March 2016 at 13:48, Nick Randolph <n...@builttoroam.com> wrote: > This makes a very good point about the ACS (and actually a lot of > communities): Don’t expect to get the most out of the organisation simply > by paying the fees, or rocking up to a meeting (eg user groups). You get > out, what you put in; the more you contribute, the more you get out of > them. > > > > Back when I was Perth based I was quite involved with the ACS, I met a lot > of people, and felt like I was staying in contact with the rest of the > planet (important being in Perth where you’re somewhat isolated). Having > moved to Sydney, my focus has changed. I’m no longer a member of the ACS, > and don’t contribute; ergo, I don’t get anything out of it and it doesn’t > offer me any value. > > > > I’m not saying that everyone should join the ACS, and I definitely don’t > buy the argument that to be professional you need to be part of a > professional body. My 2cents on that argument is that the ACS does a poor > job of being that professional body but this doesn’t mean that it can’t > offer other benefits to members (as I said, the more you put in, the more > you get out). > > > > > > *Nick Randolph *| *Built to Roam Pty Ltd* | Microsoft MVP – Windows > Platform Development | +61 412 413 425 | @btroam | skype:nick_randolph > The information contained in this email is confidential. If you are not > the intended recipient, you may not disclose or use the information in this > email in any way. Built to Roam Pty Ltd does not guarantee the integrity of > any emails or attached files. The views or opinions expressed are the > author's own and may not reflect the views or opinions of Built to Roam Pty > Ltd. > > > > *From:* ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com [mailto: > ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com] *On Behalf Of *Stephen Price > *Sent:* Wednesday, March 2, 2016 11:16 AM > *To:* Grant Castner <gcast...@outlook.com.au>; 'ozDotNet' < > ozdotnet@ozdotnet.com> > > *Subject:* RE: [OT] ACS - relevant? > > > > I am a member and have been for 8 or so years. I recall at the time I did > not have my degree so had to go through a lot of hoops to prove I had the > experience to be eligible to join. It made me happy they don’t just let > anyone in, they are serious. > > It was a requirement to get the role i was applying for at UWA. > > I remained a member and have been to a couple of sundowners and ACS > conferences. I have also used them to find an IT smart lawyer one time when > I needed some contract advice. I got a discount with the lawyer and he gave > me some good advice. > > There are also some training and other benefits but you do have to put > time into it, like anything. > > Its easy to do and easy to not do. Most probably don't bother but it is > nice to know there is someone there I can ask if anything comes up that I > need help with. > > > > Its also tax deductible. > > > > I say give them a shot and if you are not getting anything out of them, > don’t be too quick to blame them, look at what you are putting into it > first. Be cause in your career, its yours. Don't expect it all handed to > you on a silver platter. > > > > My 2c > > > > Sent from Outlook Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550987> > for Windows 10 phone > > > > *From: *Grant Castner <gcast...@outlook.com.au> > *Sent: *Wednesday, 2 March 2016 7:37 AM > *To: *'ozDotNet' <ozdotnet@ozdotnet.com> > *Subject: *RE: [OT] ACS - relevant? > > > > I had a chat with the National Sales Manager from ACS about a month ago > and they are acutely aware that they need to become more relevant. For > example, they realise that while they have 23,000 members, that is only > about 5% of the IT workforce. The meeting was to discuss their new > corporate membership package (they call it the *Professional Partner > Program*) which provides ACS membership for all relevant staff in the > organisation for a single fee. I have copied some of the benefits and > events that they sent me if you want to take a look. > > > > Cheers, > > Grant > > > > > > Dr Grant Castner > > CIO > > Professional Development Training Pty Ltd > > 0458 770 749 > > http://twitter.com/grantcastner > > https://au.linkedin.com/in/grantcastner > > > > > > The ACS is the professional association for Australia’s ICT sector. Our > commitment in the creation and provision of opportunities for our members > extends through the development of ICT skills, formulation of effective > policies on ICT related matters, and building a community with a true sense > of belonging. The ACS will be running a series of key national events > this year that are deliberately focused on thought leadership initiatives > revolving around the economy, jobs and the skills needed to assure a > prosperous future for Australia. For example: > > > > · The *ACS Remuneration Survey* *Report* which is an annual > research piece featuring year-to-year presentation and analysis of > remuneration data and trends or the ICT sector to be carried out by the > Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia > (APESMA) in conjunction with the ACS. The survey report provides the very > latest information on remuneration of computer professionals in Australia. > Access to this report gives you the advantage when negotiating enterprise > or workplace agreements, individual contracts, or performing salary > reviews, and it will help you retain and attract the best quality staff; > > > > · The *ACS Employment Survey Report* provides detailed > information on the employment outlook for ICT professionals in Australia > based upon survey responses. Its aim is to assist ICT professionals; those > contemplating a career in the industry, and other industry stakeholders, > with a useful overview of employment conditions and attitudes in the > profession; > > > > · The formal launch of the Australian-first strategic research > report piece, *Future of Work “Porous Boundaries”* on the 26th of > February relating to the impacts upon the ICT workforce and industry over > the next 20 years. This is being delivered in partnership with CSIRO, the > Department of Employment and other case study partners such as ANZ Bank and > Boston Consulting Group. I’ll make sure to send you an invite to this > event as this is by invitation-only; > > > > · Commencement of the *ACS 50th Year Anniversary Celebrations* to > honour the theme, “50 Years of Inspiring Success – Acknowledging the Past” > on the 26th of February; > > > > · *Education Across the Nation (EdXN)* to be held in March 2016 > is ACS’ signature professional development speakers tour series that > presents topical experts sharing insights about the ICT sector today and > the future. Key note speaker will be Chris Vein, CEO of the Dome Advisory > Services, Chief Innovation Advisor to SIRCA and formerly the Deputy CTO of > the US White house and former CIO of World Bank; > > > > · The refreshed *ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse > <http://www.acs.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/69720/02062015-Australias-Digital-Pulse-FINAL.PDF> > *– the only report of its kind, domestically – with a revised economic > narrative. This will be launched at the National Press Club in Canberra by > The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, PM. This research report has been prepared by > our partner and leading consultancy firm, Deloitte Access Economics and > will be focusing on ICT workforce planning and development of organisations > relating to education, employment remuneration, human capital and skills > challenges facing the Australian economy. An official launch date in March > 2016 is still to be confirmed; > > > > · New product launch of the *ACS SME Trust Mark* that serves as > an independent assessment of business and ICT professional in relation to > management practices, governance and service delivery in specific ICT areas; > > > > · New product launch of *ACS Talent/Recruitment* to assist > all-sized businesses with finding high quality staff and contractors to > employ for their businesses; > > > > · The annual *ACS Future Leaders Institute* which is an immersive > five-day residential program designed to develop the leadership skills of > new and aspiring CIOs. Participants will experience a diverse program of > learning experiences facilitated by leaders in the field, including > internationally-renowned industry and university experts from around > Australia and across the world. Visionary insights into the latest hot > issues in ICT will be combined with examples of real-world, best-practice > implementations. The emphasis throughout is on sharing ideas and > experiences in interactive, collaborative workshops and roundtables, where > you’ll learn from others who have gone through similar experiences. > Participants will join a select group of future leaders, all either CIOs or > on the path to becoming one. To prosper in the digital age, Australia > needs courageous CIOs who can make the right decisions faster and more > often. So what does it take to be one? We all know that being a courageous > CIO requires a unique combination of entrepreneurial flair and strong > analytical skills. It means that participants are able to recognise the > competitive advantages that a particular technology can brings to an > organisation and its customers, and effectively drive change. And it means > that a participant will have the confidence to face the challenges of > disruptive technologies that arrive in ever-shorter cycles. If that sounds > like you or anyone you know, then you cannot afford to miss this > opportunity. Our next one will be held in May 2016. > > > > · In addition to the above, we will also be hosting the *ACS > Reimagination: Thought Leaders Summit <http://reimagination.acs.org.au/>* > and *Digital Disruption Awards > <http://reimagination.acs.org.au/disruptors-awards/>* which was held in > November 2016 at The Star in Sydney. This 1-day conference will be themed, > “Digital Disruption/Competitive Advantage/Jobs and Skills of the Future” > brings together government, media, educators, researchers and industry to > progress discussions on the future needs of jobs and skills for Australia > to remain competitive in a global economy. > > > > · > > ACS Membership benefits at a glance… > > > > · Connection to the largest network of ICT professionals in > Australia – over 23,000 members and 350 partners > > · Access to over 600 professional development, special industry > groups and networking events <http://www.acs.org.au/networking-and-events> > annually > > · Monthly branch forum executive presentations, knowledge-based > seminars and workshops > > · MySFIA online self-assessment tool > <http://www.acs.org.au/sfia-certification/mysfia>to determine skills > profile and map a career pathway > > · Access to a digital library of more than 14,000 professional > skills courses > <http://www.acs.org.au/professional-development/online-courses> for > career fast-tracking > > · Further education and study options including ACS short courses > <http://www.acs.org.au/professional-development/Distance-Courses>, > professional accreditation programs and post-graduate qualifications > > · Nationally-recognised Certification for ICT technologists and > professionals > <https://www.acs.org.au/sfia-certification/acs-certification> > > · ACS member rewards including discounted IT products and > services and exclusive travel deals > > · Access to a digital magazine subscription for the PC & Tech > Authority and Atomic > <http://www.acs.org.au/my-acs/rewards/online-magazines>brands > > · A bi-monthly digital subscription to the ACS' Thought > Leadership publication: Information Age > <http://www.acs.org.au/information-resources/publications/information-age> > > · Access to select graduates from the ACS Scholarship Foundation > the ACS job board > <http://www.acs.org.au/accreditedcourses-and-jobs/job-search>for the > latest ICT job opportunities > > · And many more benefits highlighted on our website > www.acs.org.au/become-a-member/why > > > > > > > > > > *From:* ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com [ > mailto:ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com <ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com>] *On > Behalf Of *Preet Sangha > *Sent:* Wednesday, 2 March 2016 9:23 AM > *To:* ozDotNet <ozdotnet@ozdotnet.com> > *Subject:* Re: [OT] ACS - relevant? > > > > I think this might be of use to some people > > > > [image: Inline images 1] > > > > > regards, > Preet, in Auckland NZ > > > > > > On 2 March 2016 at 10:41, David Apelt <d...@signmanager.com.au> wrote: > > I have enjoyed the conversation so far. ozDotNet is such a great forum. I > would like to bring the conversation back on topic. I am not trying to be > controversial here, I just want to know if my experiences mirror that of > others. > > > > I have never seen the ACS speak in the media when there is an IT issue; > like a security beach > > > > I have never seen the ACS speak publically about IT infrastructure; like > the NBN > > > > DDLS, New Horizons, etc are great at advertising and promoting their > courses. ACS never appear on my radar. > > > > I have never seen the ACS sponsor CeBit, TechEd, any local user groups, > etc (Maybe they did... if they did, it was not very memorable) (this > adds weight to my argument > https://www.acs.org.au/networking-and-events/events/endorsed-events) > > > > I have never seen the ACS quoted, reposted, liked, etc on facebook, > twitter, etc > > > > Is this the experience of others? > > > > Regards > > Dave > > > > *From:* ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com [mailto: > ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com] *On Behalf Of *Greg Low (??????) > *Sent:* Tuesday, 1 March 2016 1:23 PM > > > *To:* ozDotNet <ozdotnet@ozdotnet.com> > *Subject:* RE: [OT] ACS - relevant? > > > > But that’s my point. Agreed, it’s not necessarily anything to do with > whether the project fails. We know that. > > > > It’s the backside protection that is improved by the external > certification, not necessarily the project outcome. > > > > That said, I do see a large number of projects that have in fact failed > (or are perilously close to failing) through basic incompetence. > > > > It is a problem in our industry whether we want to face it or not. It’s > quite tiring to endlessly try to rectify the same sorts of basic problems. > > > > I really love work where it’s “how should we tackle this development?” > rather than “OMG, we’re in such a mess. What do we do next?”, when the > panic sets in. The more this happens, the more likely that some form of > regulation might occur, at least for sections of the industry. > > > > Regards, > > > > Greg > > > > Dr Greg Low > > > > 1300SQLSQL (1300 775 775) office | +61 419201410 mobile│ +61 3 8676 4913 > fax > > SQL Down Under | Web: www.sqldownunder.com > > > > *From:* ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com [ > mailto:ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com <ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com>] *On > Behalf Of *Ken Schaefer > *Sent:* Tuesday, 1 March 2016 12:52 PM > *To:* ozDotNet <ozdotnet@ozdotnet.com> > *Subject:* RE: [OT] ACS - relevant? > > > > Do many IT projects fail because of the lack of externally certified > competency? I’m not sure they do. > > > > I’ve seen projects fail because requirements were uncertain (or changed), > or scope changed, or complexity was underestimated, or best effort > “guesses” based on incomplete information at the time ended up being the > wrong punt. > > > > Very few of these are “IT” problems – they are problems that come from the > business, or in governance, and some are just plain bad luck. > > > > *From:* ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com [ > mailto:ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com <ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com>] *On > Behalf Of *Greg Low (??????) > *Sent:* Tuesday, 1 March 2016 11:02 AM > *To:* ozDotNet <ozdotnet@ozdotnet.com> > *Subject:* RE: [OT] ACS - relevant? > > > > Almost agree Ken. I don’t see having “professional” attributes as being > related to whether or not IT projects fail. What I do see is a difference > in the finger pointing when they fail. > > > > If I was the CEO responsible when an issue occurred, I’d feel more > comfortable having used staff that an external body says are professional, > rather than ones I assessed myself to be great at what they do. It avoids > me being stuck with having to try to argue basic competence. > > > > And yes, point taken about common parlance. I have a friend who is a > wheelbarrow mechanic and many who are sales engineers. > > > > Regards, > > > > Greg > > > > Dr Greg Low > > > > 1300SQLSQL (1300 775 775) office | +61 419201410 mobile│ +61 3 8676 4913 > fax > > SQL Down Under | Web: www.sqldownunder.com > > > > *From:* ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com [ > mailto:ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com <ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com>] *On > Behalf Of *Ken Schaefer > *Sent:* Tuesday, 1 March 2016 10:46 AM > *To:* ozDotNet <ozdotnet@ozdotnet.com> > *Subject:* RE: [OT] ACS - relevant? > > > > Whilst you are right that Tony is conflating professionalism with > desirable employee attributes, I think you’re also conflating > professionalism with “avoidance of high failure rates in IT projects” – > there are many “professional” endeavours that have failures (whether it be > accounting issues through to scientific experiments) which having a > profession wouldn’t suddenly mitigate: a lot of IT works a commercial > sphere where “good enough” is the goal. There’s plenty of other IT > (utilities, aerospace, defence) where BAU failure is not tolerated. > Certainly projects may go “over budget”, but that happens in civil > engineering, legal disputes and many other “professional” activities as > well. > > > > And lastly, I think, in common parlance, “professional” and “white collar” > have become conflated. Most people in the community would call > marketing/advertising people, or human resources people, or vendor/contract > management people, or people who work in finance to be “professionals”, > whereas by the formal definition, they’re not. > > > > Cheers > > Ken > > > > *From:* ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com [ > mailto:ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com <ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com>] *On > Behalf Of *Greg Low (??????) > *Sent:* Monday, 29 February 2016 10:05 PM > *To:* ozDotNet <ozdotnet@ozdotnet.com> > *Subject:* RE: [OT] ACS - relevant? > > > > I follow what you’re saying Tony but the two concepts are separate. > > > > You are describing what you are looking for in an employee. You might > consider that “professionalism” but you are not actually describing what > most other industries would describe as professionalism. In most > industries, professionalism is about a formal agreement to adhere to a code > of ethics, being qualified in the first place, maintaining appropriate > certifications, carrying out ongoing learning, etc. And, more importantly, > ejection from the profession if you don’t do what’s required. > > > > It’s just that the IT industry places more value on a perceived ability to > get something done. > > > > There’s nothing wrong with that per se, but people that we consider to be > IT professionals won’t ever be regarded as such by most of the community, > and we’ll continue to see people that lurch from one disaster to the next > with impunity. It’s worth considering that very few other professions would > tolerate the failure rate that’s associated with IT projects. > > > > Regards, > > > > Greg > > > > Dr Greg Low > > > > 1300SQLSQL (1300 775 775) office | +61 419201410 mobile│ +61 3 8676 4913 > fax > > SQL Down Under | Web: www.sqldownunder.com > > > > *From:* ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com [ > mailto:ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com <ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com>] *On > Behalf Of *Tony Wright > *Sent:* Monday, 29 February 2016 9:54 PM > *To:* ozDotNet <ozdotnet@ozdotnet.com> > *Subject:* Re: [OT] ACS - relevant? > > > > I somehow don't think being a member of the ACS suddenly gives you any > more professionalism than any other person in the IT sector. In fact, > having read resumes of hundreds of people I think I've only ever seen one > that said they were a member of the ACS. But alas, that person did not have > the skills we needed, so we had to pass. We were really looking for people > who were emmersed in the technology and the best evidence of that was > evidence of decent projects they'd worked on, attendance and speaking at > user group meetings, and evidence of leadership. Certifications, sure, but > not people who only knew how to do certs. And people with personality and > the right attitude. > > T. > > On 29 Feb 2016 8:12 pm, "Peter Griffith" <pe...@gui-visuals.com.au> wrote: > > Well put David B > > > > So I guess that means that IT cannot be regarded as a profession > > > > Bourne out by industry who seem more interested in experience rather than > adherance to a professional code of ethics, code of conduct, code of > practice. > > > > Is it unethical then for those working in IT to portray themselves as > professionals?. > > > > > > > > > > > > On 29 February 2016 at 17:06, David Burstin <david.burs...@gmail.com> > wrote: > > Some points on relevance... > > > > I used to be an accountant. There are many professional bodies that cover > accountants, each being relevant only to the area of accounting they > specialize in. CPAs are not the same as Chartered Accountants, and it is > natural and obvious as an accountant which body you should belong to based > on the type of work you do. For example, a public accountant in a suburban > practice doing individual, small trust and small company returns would be a > CPA, not a Chartered Accountant. > > > > All of the questions you asked have different answers based on which body > you belong to as an accountant. > > > > So, who does the ACS represent? Software engineers? Hardware engineers? > Database administrators? And within these, there are massive subsets, each > with vastly different and perhaps even opposing codes of conduct and > practice. Would the ACS promote "break-nothing" (eg if you worked at a > financial institution), or "break-everything" if you worked at Facebook? > > > > I am not and never have been a member of the ACS. I looked at it but could > never see the relevance. The only advantage was having a few letters at the > end of my name that no one seemed to care about. So instead I got some > other letters that slightly more (and I do mean slightly more) people cared > about (MCSD, MCT). > > > > The questions that you ask are spot-on for a representative professional > body. I just don't feel that they apply to the ACS because who exactly does > it represent - and if the answer is "computer professionals" then that is > so vague as to be meaningless. > > > > That's my 2c. > > > > On 29 February 2016 at 17:21, Peter Griffith <pe...@gui-visuals.com.au> > wrote: > > Cuppla more questions on relevance > > > > Do you subscribe to a professional code of ethics, code of conduct, code > of practice? > > *.*Do you follow an on-going, coherent professional education process.? > > Are you accredited by any relevant, recognised, independent body, or by a > Local, State or Federal government authority.? > > > > On 29 February 2016 at 16:30, Peter Griffith <pe...@gui-visuals.com.au> > wrote: > > Do you belong to a professional body? > > > > On 29 February 2016 at 16:27, David Apelt <d...@signmanager.com.au> wrote: > > Yes > > > > *From:* ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com [mailto: > ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com] *On Behalf Of *Peter Griffith > *Sent:* Monday, 29 February 2016 4:43 PM > *To:* ozDotNet <ozdotnet@ozdotnet.com> > *Subject:* Re: [OT] ACS - relevant? > > > > David, do you consider yourself to be an IT Professional? > > > > On 29 February 2016 at 15:35, DotNet Dude <adotnetd...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Haven''t even heard ACS since like 2000. Never comes up in interviews or > any conversation at all from my experience. > > > > On Mon, Feb 29, 2016 at 3:50 PM, David Apelt <d...@signmanager.com.au> > wrote: > > The only time I ever hear of the ASC (Australian Computer Society) is the > punch line in bad IT jokes. > > > > But last night I had a Pakistani taxi driver who had just got his masters > in IT. He spoke with enthusiasm about the ASC and how he was going to be > paying them $12500 over the next year so that he could be accredited in IT. > (!!) > > > > I just want to test the waters here; are the ASC relevant? Are they doing > a good job? Does anyone ask for ACS accreditation during interviews? > > > > I am in Melbourne for work at the moment. Maybe it is a regional thing? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Peter Griffith CP > PH: 0408 832 891 > > > > > > -- > > Peter Griffith CP > PH: 0408 832 891 > > > > > > -- > > Peter Griffith CP > PH: 0408 832 891 > > > > > > > > -- > > Peter Griffith CP > PH: 0408 832 891 > > > -- Peter Griffith CP PH: 0408 832 891
