Queensland Tafe has signed another three-year contract for information technology and telecommunications services, valued at around $58 million with incumbent provider Unisys.

Services provided under the terms of the contract, which includes an option for a two-year extension, will include helpdesk (ability to take up to 8000 calls per month), desktop support (covering 13,0000 desktop computers), server management, data centre, network support, asset management, project services and program management.

The provision of these IT services will allow Tafe Qld to continue to focus on its core business of education and training.

According to Queensland employment and training Minister Matt Foley: "A strong and well maintained IT infrastructure is essential to creating an environment where students and teachers can engage in relevant and up to the minute training in a diverse range of subjects.

"The ever increasing role of information technology in teaching and business environments has led to significant dependencies on technology to support institute business processes."

John Vickers, Queensland regional manager for Unisys said the company is pleased to be continuing its relationship with Tafe Queensland. "We have spent five years working together to develop flexible service arrangements that are unique in public sector outsourcing."