Building The Future ITC & STEM Workforce
- John Debrincat
- Nov 25
- 5 min read
25 Years with the Australian Computer Society Foundation
25 Years but Who’s Counting
Almost 25 years ago I was asked to become a part of creating an organisation that helped young people and students understand more about Information and Communication Technology. The world had gone through the Year-2000 Crisis and Dot-Com bubble, and I.T. had a poor reputation. Enrolments in Tertiary I.T. studies had dropped by 80%.
My role at the time was Senior Vice-President Asia-Pacific for Compuware Corporation. A then, recently listed, public company on NASDAQ. The company in Asia Pacific had grown from a few offices to over 20, and from a 100 or so people to over 1,500 in just a few years. Business and industry were also changing, moving rapidly online with new systems and technology. Technically trained personnel where hard to find. We knew that this continual change and development was not going to stop.
The Australian Computer Society Foundation is Born
John Ridge, then ACS President, and Dennis Furini, the ACS CEO, met with me at Compuware offices in North Sydney and presented the idea of the ACS Foundation. To begin the ACS Foundation needed funding and the Australian Computer Society had agreed to fund the administration. But a corporate sponsor was needed to guarantee a successful start-up. Compuware agreed to provide $100,000 per year for 5 years for scholarship funds. The company would also be taking a set number of interns provided by the foundation each year and creating a role, as a student mentor and manager, as part of our Technical Training team.
The ACS Foundation was established.
What does Sponsoring the ACS Foundation Deliver
Building Australia’s Future ICT & STEM Workforce While Strengthening Your Own Organisation
Now I am the Chair of the ACS Foundation Board, and along with my fellow board members, we have watched the foundation grow. The Foundation has become a trusted partner with hundreds of Australian companies, most Australian universities. Tens of thousands of students have attended our events or received Scholarships and jobs.
In a world where digital capability defines competitiveness, innovation, and national productivity, organisations that invest early in emerging talent gain more than workforce benefits, they contribute to Australia’s future.
By partnering with the ACS Foundation (ACSF), your organisation supports young Australians entering Information Technology and STEM careers while also developing a sustainable, loyal, and work-ready talent pipeline. Sponsorship becomes a strategic advantage, not just a charitable gesture.
The ACS Foundation Now
The ACS Foundation (ACSF) is now a national charity dedicated to increasing the number of students entering IT and STEM careers. Through scholarships, internships, and work-integrated learning programs, ACSF helps bridge the gap between education and industry.
Key programs include:
Foundation Jobs – graduate and internship placement programs.
The BiG Day In – major nationwide events introducing school students to tech careers.
Career Wheel – showing clear pathways from school to tertiary to employment.
Neurodiversity Programs – supporting neuro-divergent students into meaningful tech roles.
ACS Partnerships – linking students to Australia’s peak ICT professional body for development, accreditation, and networking.
Together, these programs create a complete ecosystem supporting students from school to university to industry employment.
How Sponsorship Works
As a donor or sponsor, your organisation provides:
A financial scholarship to a university student studying an ICT-related degree
A work-experience placement or internship within your organisation
An opportunity to hire the student into an intern, graduate, or full-time role
This model builds a strong connection between employer and student. Over time, that relationship becomes a powerful workforce asset for both parties.
The Expanded Benefits for Employers
Reduced Employment Costs & Lower Hiring Risk
Sponsoring a student dramatically reduces recruitment costs and onboarding risk:
Reduced advertising and recruitment fees
Ability to evaluate the student before hiring
Better cultural alignment
Lower cost of graduate turnover
Less onboarding overhead due to prior familiarity with your systems
The cost of a “poor hire” is high — ACSF pathways minimise that risk.
Higher Retention Rates & Greater Loyalty
ACSF-sponsored students stay longer.
Because you supported them early, financially and professionally, they enter your organisation with:
Loyalty
Gratitude
Strong cultural alignment
Genuine commitment
This results in significantly higher retention compared to open-market graduate hires.
Work-Ready Employees Who Understand Your Processes
Work-integrated learning means students arrive on day one already understanding how your business works. They are familiar with:
Your systems
Your tools
Your culture
Your security and operational policies
Your work expectations
Graduates who have interned with you are more productive, faster.
A Secure Workforce Pipeline in a Looming IT/STEM Shortage
Australia faces a major shortage of technical talent — especially in:
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Quantum computing
Cyber security
Cloud engineering
Data science
Automation and robotics
Every organisation, in every sector, will soon need deeper STEM capability.
Sponsoring today protects your workforce tomorrow.
Stronger Organisational Capability
Fresh talent brings:
New ideas
Latest technical knowledge
Energy and curiosity
Diverse perspectives
Meanwhile, your existing staff benefit through mentoring opportunities, growing their leadership, communication, and coaching abilities.
A Future-Proof Workforce Strategy
Sponsorship ensures you have:
AI-literate talent
Tech-capable graduates
A diversified workforce
A pipeline for hard-to-fill roles
As technology accelerates, your early investment becomes a strategic advantage over competitors struggling to attract talent.
Personal & Professional Benefits of Philanthropy
Does Helping Make You Smarter and Happier
Beyond workforce impact, engaging in philanthropy delivers deep personal and professional value to leaders, employees, and entire organisations.
❤️ Personal Benefits
A Stronger Sense of Purpose - Giving back creates meaning and emotional fulfilment.
Better Mental Health - Philanthropic engagement reduces stress and increases happiness.
Connection & Community - Charity builds networks, friendships, and belonging.
Personal Growth - Participants develop empathy, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
A Lasting Legacy - Supporting education and opportunity leaves an enduring impact on future generations.
💼 Professional Benefits
Enhanced Reputation - People respect leaders and organisations that give back.
Expanded Networks - Philanthropy connects you with business leaders, universities, and civic partners.
Improved Leadership Skills - Running or supporting charitable initiatives strengthens:
Strategic thinking
Negotiation
Conflict resolution
Project coordination
Better Team Culture - Employees are more engaged when their employer supports meaningful causes.
Greater Productivity Through Purpose - People work harder and innovate more when they feel connected to a mission beyond profit.
Talent Attraction & Employer Branding - Younger generations actively choose employers who demonstrate social responsibility.
Career Growth - Community involvement often acts as a catalyst for leadership development and executive visibility.
ACS Foundations Measurable Impact
The ACS Foundation’s national footprint includes:
$85+ million raised for scholarships
8,500+ students supported
Over 50,000 students attended events
18 Universities host events
300 ITC Industry Speakers
Thousands of internships, graduate placements and employment outcomes
Sponsors benefit from being part of the most established ICT talent pipeline in Australia.
Call to Action – What Can You Do?
Becoming a sponsor or donor is more than supporting a student, it is investing in Australia’s future workforce and strengthening your organisation.
To begin the conversation:
📞 (02) 8296 7744
I am happy to discuss the outcomes from the Foundation that I have been involved in with the businesses that I have managed. Let’s build the future of Australia’s technology workforce.
Author:
John Debrincat FACS MAICD
Chair and Director
Australian Computer Society Foundation
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