The summit was used to announce a number of new state and federal initiatives, largely centered on encouraging more people to pursue a career in IT.

The federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) announced it will fund the creation of an open-access national ICT skills tracking and monitoring system based on the Victorian model to help bolster ICT skills.

The system will be based on the one developed by the Information Technology Contract and Recruitment Association (ITCRA) and Multimedia Victoria, a Web-based data collection of IT placements. It will present any information collected on the Skills Australia Web site.

"I am pleased to announce that ITCRA has been successful in its application for funding under the Information Technology Online (ITOL) Program," IT Minister Senator Coonan said. "The National ICT Skills Monitoring Establishment Project will improve ITCRA's current data collection and dissemination processes."

The announcement followed Coonan's release of the ICT skills working group's report - Building Australian ICT Skills - which outlines a number of recommendations in addition to the national monitoring system.The report recommends the formation of an industry leadership group to develop and facilitate improved ICT information and participation in ICT occupations and careers.