The Tech Council Australia (TCA) has introduced a national virtual work experience program designed to introduce young Australians to careers in technology.
The program, developed in partnership with Year13, aims to fill high-demand roles in software and networking engineering, cybersecurity, and data science, with companies like Commonwealth Bank, Microsoft, and nbn as initial partners.
Robyn Denholm, chair of the TCA, highlighted the tech industry’s growth and potential for well-paying jobs, urging young Australians from diverse backgrounds to explore opportunities in technology.
“Tech jobs are amongst the fastest-growing and best-paid jobs in our economy,” Denholm said. “We need to see more young Australians moving into these critical jobs of the future.
“I particularly encourage more young Australians from diverse backgrounds to explore tech careers, it’s a very egalitarian industry, we want more women, Indigenous Australians, people with disability and those living in our outer suburbs and regional Australia, to have the ability to access these fulfilling careers.”
The program offers free virtual work experiences to Australians aged 14-25, focusing on those facing employment barriers. It connects secondary school students and post-school leavers with TCA’s tech partners, providing a pathway to the tech sector and highlighting the array of job opportunities within the industry.
Ryan Black, acting CEO of the Tech Council, highlighted the program’s role in achieving the goal of 1.2 million people in tech jobs by 2030. By partnering with Year13, the program aims to diversify the tech workforce, ensuring greater economic and social inclusion across Australia.
“Through this program, young people can expect to get experience in tech occupations that are among the most in-demand across the economy – not just in tech companies, but also in banking, mining, retail, government and professional services,” Black said.
“Importantly, our partnership with Year13 will open access to these free virtual work-experience opportunities to all young Australians. Broadening the diversity of the growing tech workforce is an important step towards greater economic and social inclusion in Australia.”
Leaders from CBA, Microsoft, and nbn expressed their support for the program, emphasising its significance in keeping up with the industry’s rapid pace and fostering a diverse workforce.
Will Stubley, Year13 co-founder and co-CEO, said the company is proud to offer a program that can help give young Australians the tools to get into a tech or tech-related job.
“This is about making sure that all young people have an equal chance at getting into the career of their dreams, and finding a path that speaks to them,” Stubley said.
Jane Adams, CBA EGM human resources, technology, and operations, said CBA was “excited to play our part in ensuring that Australia’s work-experience programs can keep up with the pace of change we’re seeing in the industry.”
John Galligan, general manager of corporate external and legal affairs at Microsoft, said that “by providing accessible, inclusive, and practical tech job pathways, we are not only preparing young Australians for the future – we are actively shaping a diverse and dynamic workforce that is essential for our national progress.”
nbn said it was proud to be part of the program, which will “help students gain valuable insights that may open the door to explore diverse career paths into our booming industry,” said Anne Marie Baldwin, head of talent, culture and capability.
Get the hottest and freshest mortgage news delivered right into your inbox. Subscribe now to our FREE daily newsletter.
