The council is also partnering with the Sydney Universities Business Information Systems Student Association (BISA) which aims to become a National Student Association in 2007. The council is also a sponsor of the BISA.

Speaking at a CIO Magazine conference recently, council member and Queensland government CIO Peter Grant said the continuing skills shortage is a growing problem for IT departments.

Grant said IT enrolments in tertiary institutions has dropped 70 per cent in the past five years.

"Everyone is saying 2006 is a great year as IT enrolments have only fallen 15 per cent," he said.

"We need to let young people know ICT is a great career choice with plenty of opportunity."