IT skills shortages in the Tasmanian Department of Education (DoE) has driven the creation of a new infrastructure services outsourcing panel.
The DoE oversees the operations of the island state’s schools, libraries and community education networks.
Department documents state the panel of vendors will be in place for three years with two one-year extension options.
Panel members are expected to provide infrastructure support, including the “implementation of newer or updated technologies as well as maintenance and support of existing technologies”.
“The Department is seeking to outsource some infrastructure services due to skill deficiencies that currently exist,” the documents read. “To support this business need, vendors will be assessed as to their skills, capacity, approach to innovation and expertise in various IT infrastructure technical fields. From this group of providers, the Department will engage to provide the necessary support required.”
Job ads have risen in Tasmania recently despite falling job markets nationwide.
The Tasmanian DoE also said it will migrate away from the Windows XP operating system by the end of 2011 in favour of Windows 7.
The department predominantly procures HP kit and outsources its Internet connectivity for 287 locations to Telstra.
In April, Computerworld revealed Tasmanian Premier, David Bartlett, would take responsibility for the state’s new ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.