The Purple Team Australia Program has been designed, developed and implemented by partners who understand the challenges facing Australia’s cyber skills shortage and underrepresentation of diversity in the industry. In its simplest form, Purple Team Australia is a cyber security talent pool upon which a workforce is generated in offensive and defensive cyber operations for employers to recruit from for their job vacancies or expected vacancies.

Purple Team Australia provides the cyber security industry with:

• Potential employees who are trained in the latest cyber tradecraft and possess a strong industry network through the exposure and experience provided
• Employers that are actively seeking First Nations Australians and female candidates for vacancies
• Employment Match between a job-ready candidate and a potential employer.

Purple Team Australia provides aspiring students with:

• Certificate of Completion and credential points to support further study
• Participation in an Employment Match process with prospective employers with a view to employment
• Networking events online and in person with key industry leaders and associations
• Dedicated Mentor to support your learning
• Dedicated Talent Manager to assist in employment readiness
• Access to specialised vendor certification leading instructional and practical training activities
• Free 12 month membership to Australian Information Security Association and/or Australian Women in Security Network.

As a student you will be part of Australia’s largest workforce development program in the cyber security industry, that has been designed specifically for First Nations Australians and women who wish to become cyber security professionals.

The Mentor is fundamental to the Purple Team Australia Program. Not only does the Mentor share knowledge and experience, a Mentor provides the guidance and encouragement the participant will need to successfully complete the program. Your role as Mentor provides a pivotal bridge between the training participants receive and the outcomes of the Purple Team Australia Program. Successful Mentors will demonstrate the following qualities and behaviours to bring the best out of its Program participants.

As part of a wrap-around support service for participants, Program Mentors are responsible for:

• Assisting in the assessment of the participants against Learning Outcomes
• Identifying and addressing issues that may preclude the participants successfully completing the program such as time management, comprehension of learning content and general well-being
• Genuine interest in the professional development of the participants
• Regular communication online and in person with the participants
• Sharing knowledge and experience across all participants in the Program

Program Mentors are expected to commit to:

• Conduct fortnightly sessions with participants (individual or group)
• Complete individual assessments at the end of each phase
• Attend scheduled Program Events in person events in their State
• Attend the National CTF Challenge and Program Closing event in Canberra

Purple Team Australia Program is funded by the Australian Government’s Cyber Skills Partnership Innovation Fund Round 2 in co-contribution with Program Partners and Sponsors. The program is free but costs may be incurred for accommodation and travel for students and mentors (reimbursement may be available upon application) and for employers undertaking the Employer Match process.

The shortage of job-ready cyber security talent in Australia represents a significant challenge to the economic growth of our country. Research demonstrates that it’s driven by tough competition for talent, a skills gap, lack of diversity and an ever-changing threat landscape.

The Purple Team Australia Program has been designed, developed and implemented by partners who understand the challenges facing Australia’s cyber skills shortage and underrepresentation of diversity in the industry. In its simplest form, Purple Team Australia is a cyber security talent pool upon which employers can draw upon interested candidates who are matched as being a right fit.

The Program employs a holistic solution to this challenge rather than a piecemeal approach, representing significant financial savings to you as an employer who:

• Conducts in-house advertising, interviews and selections for job vacancies
• Engages external recruitment agencies for job vacancies
• Delivers in-house training or engages external training as candidates were not job-ready and
• Manages ongoing staff turnover in a competitive recruitment market

The six month Program encompasses a right person, rights skills, right employer approach with our dedicated Talent Identification and Management Partner commencing their process from the moment your potential candidate submits their application to the day they are engaged by you. They understand your needs, the candidates needs and in a whole-of-person and whole-of-employer assessment process the Program delivers an ‘Employment Match.’

Becoming a Purple Team Australia Employment Partner will provide you with access to a talent pool that provides fresh perspectives, expertise and diversity of thought from women and First Nation Australians, alignment with you organisational values, assist you to attract and retain cyber security professionals and helping to build a sustainable pipeline of cyber security talent for the future.

• Students have learned the latest best practices in cyber security, which can help you safeguard your business against cyber threats and attacks.
• Gain a better understanding of First Nations culture and build stronger relationships with First Nations communities
• Actively seeking First Nations Australians and female candidates for your vacancies provides access to a wider pool of skilled cybersecurity professionals, who might not otherwise have considered a career in cyber security.
• In building a more diverse cybersecurity team, employers create a more collaborative and productive work environment.
• Employers participating in the program provides networking opportunities and potential partnerships with other organisations, including other employers and educational institutions. This can help create a more collaborative and innovative cybersecurity industry in Australia.

Purple Team Australia will have two intakes: June 2023 and June 2024 with 160 students participating in each intake over a six month program. Employer Partner Applications are now open with a closing date of 10th May 2023.

A closing date is essential to ensure we have happy homes for all 160 participants and are mindful that prospective employers may need time to build the foundations in place to offer a supportive and flexible environment for their new employee. However, we may extend application due dates on a case by case basis.

The program concludes with a Graduation Ceremony on 29 November 2023 in Canberra with Employer Partners receiving VIP invitations and opportunities to network with all students and may be chosen to address the attendees.