safe. Likewise, investment in digital skills has allowed businesses and government agencies to accelerate their rollout of digital services, including bricks-and-mortar restaurants and retailers who have switched to e-commerce to continue trading. The investments will play a vital role in help- ing Australia navigate through the post-COV- ID-19 world, but further work is needed if we are to achieve the productivity uplifts neces- sary to bring Australia out of recession and ensure we remain competitive. Cisco’s global research has always shown a high correlation between digital readiness and economic pros- perity, and other nations are stepping up their investments accordingly. This infrastructure will deliver to its full po- tential only if we invest in building the skills of our people to use, create and defend digital services. In addition to the need for ongoing support of the higher education sector, Cisco has joined forces with TAFE Directors Australia and our partner Optus to call on the Australian Government to assess the growth in technol- ogy-intensive jobs requiring sub-degree-level qualifications in order to help the TAFE sec- tor more rapidly prepare for, and respond to, anticipated demand. We have also called for funding of the development and delivery of mi- cro-credential digital programs to help in the reskilling and upskilling of workers displaced by recent developments. Australian industry has a desperate and grow- ing need for people equipped for a dynamic, digitised world, including having general digi- tal skills that help businesses to move up the value chain as industries further automate. De- velopment of “blue tech” or digital trade skills
will be vital to meeting those needs. Critically, we must also be sure not to lose sight of the need for the outcomes of these in- vestments to be shared equitably across Aus- tralia. Equitable access to digital services and training represents the 21st century equiva- lent of the age-old Australian concept of giv- ing everyone a “fair go”. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the importance of continued investment to ensure those communities that are least served digitally today do not experi- ence additional hardship from future events. It is important that we don’t become compla- cent about Australia’s digital readiness. The in- dex highlights the need for accelerating new in- vestment with a focus on improving Australia’s global competitiveness and bridging the divide between states to build further societal resil- ience. Growing digital divides within and be- tween states need to be addressed for Austral- ia to unleash the totality of its digital potential. Government, industry and academia will have key roles to play in empowering our country to become a global digital leader and build resil- ience for our economy. The example of rapidly emerging countries such as Singapore, which ranked first in the global Index, should help Australia set its ambition for digital readiness. Digital readiness is the key to economic pros- perity, but it is also critical to building societal resilience. Only by continuing to invest in our digital capabilities can we maximise the bene- fits in the good times and ensure we are best placed to manage the future crises that will in- evitably come our way.
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