The rising skills shortage in information and communications technology (ICT) has given birth to a new recruitment service in the nation's capital.

The new firm called SkilledFutures is looking at international students as a solution to Canberra's skills shortage. The students' proficiency level in terms of language and industry skills are assessed by the firm and then a match with part-time or casual jobs at Canberra-based businesses follows.

SkilledFutures spokesman Peter Gordon explained that Canberra employers need to fill a significant number of vacancies in ICT before businesses experience a crunch. He said, “Canberra's employers are desperate for well trained and motivated staff and recent research ... suggest that this skills shortage will worsen significantly over the next five years.”

The new firm claimed that “over 8,000 international students in Canberra... are not only well-qualified and enthusiastic, but who can bring an invaluable international perspective to their employers.”

The Canberra Business Council (CBC) and the ACT Government support the initiative. In fact, CBC CEO Chris Faulks said, “I have met many of these international students and I can confidently that I am yet to encounter a brighter, more enthusiastic and well-rounded group of young people.”

The CBC head even added that she “would not hesitate to recommend that ACT Employers offer internships or part time positions to them.”