Software Developer
Do you want to develop a game that takes
over the world? Do you see yourself as the next Bill Gates? Are you
a problem solver? Are you interested in designing new and innovative
products? Do you want to work
with technology?
Then you need to develop your skills in programming and software
development. After that, as well as designing games and interesting new
programs, you could work as a programming specialist in the field. With
these skills there are a lot of roles you could fill, such as:
- Games Developer;
- Games Programmer;
- Middleware Programmer;
- Programming/Software Engineer;
- Software Applications Specialist;
- Software Architect;
- Software Design Engineer;
- Software Developer;
- Software Developer/Programmer;
- Software Development Engineer;
- Software Engineer; and
- Xbox Programmer.
ICA50705 Diploma Information Technology (Software
Development)
This Diploma provides a natural progression from several
Certificates IV in IT qualifications, including Websites and Programming.
After the Diploma you could progress to an Advanced Diploma of IT in Process
Improvement. This could lead you to into higher education, or form the basis of
studying for particular vendor certifications.
What You Can Expect in a Training Program
Certificates I and II in Information Technology will provide you
with the skills and knowledge to use computers effectively and an understanding
of a wide range of computer concepts. Certificate III in Information Technology
will provide you with the skills and knowledge to be competent in introductory
ICT 'technical' functions.
You can do Certificates I and II and sometimes Certificate III
during the final years of secondary school education.
With these qualifications, you will be able to participate in an
information technology environment in any industry.
The Certificate IV and Diploma allow you to specialise.
Over the course of your training you will cover a wide range of topics and gain
a background not only in Software Development and Programming, but in working in
a business and working with customers. The core subjects you will cover
will teach you how to:
- Manage project quality;
- Prepare disaster recovery and contingency plans;
- Translate business needs into technical
requirements;
- Apply intermediate object-oriented language
skills;
- Apply advanced object-oriented language skills;
- Apply advanced programming skills in another
language;
- Ensure privacy for users;
- Perform integration tests; and
- Manage projects.
In addition you will be able to select some units that will
allow you to explore some other subjects that interest you.
Qualifications and competency standards
For information on the structure of qualifications and the
detail of competency standards:
- Go to the National Training Information Service website.
- Select 'Training Packages' and type ICA05 into the Training
Package Code search field.
- Select 'Qualification Packaging Rules' to view all
qualifications, or 'Units of Competency' to view the content of
units.
What other options do I have?
To get a job and start a
career it often helps to have some contacts or experience. If you know
anyone working as a software developer in a small or large business you may wish
to ask them about their role on a day to day basis. You might ask if you
can shadow them for a day or so to become familiar with how they work and the
kinds of situations and customers they deal with and the types of questions they
need to answer. You could also ask them about doing work experience. That
would give you an edge when it comes to launching your own career.
Where can I do training?
You'll find TAFE and other colleges on the national database of
Registered Training Organisations - here's how it works:
- At the NTIS website
select
courses/qualifications.
-
In the
'course/qualification code' field type
ICA50705 and
on the next screen click Diploma Information Technology (Software Development).
- On the next screen click 'Training Providers' and then search
by state or nationally.
Further information
For more information, visit the websites below, talk to the
careers teacher at your school, go to Open Days at TAFE colleges and
universities and visit their websites.
Useful websites
For industry information
search the websites of the Australian Information Industries Association (AIIA) and the
Australian Computer Society
(ACS).
Career and
employment information websites
myfuture
Job Guide
Australian JobSearch
Australian Apprenticeships or call the hotline on
1800 639 629
Australian
Apprenticeships Training Information Service
Get Access
WageNet
Back to Overview of Information and Communications
Technology Training Package page
