- Published:
- Wednesday 2 October 2019
More tech talent will be available to help develop a stronger pipeline of qualified and experienced tech talent, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula today visited RMIT to announce that the Labor Government will invest $200,000 to expand the Microsoft Traineeship Program to Victoria.
Australia currently faces a shortfall of 100,000 workers by 2024 in the information and communications technology sector, with the number of people graduating with degrees in this area not enough to meet demand.
The Microsoft Traineeship Program provides trainees with industry-recognised credentials such as a Certificate IV in Information Technology while they undertake paid, hands-on learning with some of Australia’s biggest companies.
In Victoria, program partners include: Coles, CompNow, MEGT Australia, Modex, Blue Connections, Thomas Duryea Logicalis, Advance Computing and Datacom. Trainees are not required to have a background in IT and can be at any stage in their career.
The course is suitable for those with an interest in IT including school leavers, recent graduates, those looking to change careers, women returning to work, people from Cultural and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, Indigenous people and people living with a disability.
Victoria is Australia’s tech city and an emerging tech hub in the Asia-Pacific, and the Andrews Government is determined to ensure the state remains a leading location for the tech industry.
The Labor Government is investing record funding in training and skills and higher education to make Victoria the Education State. Since 2015, more than $1.3 billion has been invested to rebuild our TAFE system and ensure students can get the skills they need for the jobs they want.
Quote attributable to Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula
“Through this program, we are investing in the next generation of IT professionals, ensuring they have the skills and real-world experience to forge ahead in their careers.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney
“Partnerships like this one between employers and training providers are critical to ensuring our students get relevant training and on-the-job experience.”
Quote attributable to Microsoft Australia Managing Director Steven Worrall
“With support from the Government – as well as a network of local partner and customer organisations – we aim to create a new pipeline of exceptional IT talent and create exciting career opportunities for aspiring trainees.”