Building a skilled and diverse tech workforce in Australia

There are many complex skills challenges facing the Australian economy. One of these is the technology skills shortage and this week’s Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra has provided an important opportunity for industry and government leaders to come together to work towards solutions for growing the nation’s tech talent pipeline.

According to research from the Tech Council of Australia, the technology sector will need an additional 653,000 workers by the end of the decade to meet the Government’s target of 1.2 million tech-related jobs by 2030.

These tech workers are vital not just for tech businesses, but for the entire Australian economy.

In the lead-up to the summit, I was delighted to participate in Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic’s digital and tech skills roundtable. At the roundtable, there was a strong and welcome focus on increasing the number of entry-level tech workers.

One of the outcomes I’d like to see from the Jobs and Skills Summit is a national approach to defining skills standards and accreditations for technology jobs. Australian businesses need to be confident that when they hire talent with tech certifications, they are employing people with the right skills to grow their business.

But we also need to make sure there is an equal focus on the importance of experienced tech talent to building the tech ecosystem – and to enabling businesses to grow the numbers of entry-level tech workers and to foster the skill development they need for successful careers.

Growing the pipeline also means encouraging women and other under-represented groups to join the industry – this is vital for the continued growth of Australia’s economy and to creating opportunity for all Australians.

Microsoft is proud to be fostering the development of a diverse and job-ready tech workforce in Australia through its programs and partnerships.

These include the Microsoft Traineeship Program, which provides an industry pathway for budding IT professionals, regardless of age or experience, to get their foot in the door of Australia’s tech sector and build a rewarding career.

We also recently launched the Microsoft Software Systems Academy in Australia, a free program designed to upskill military veterans wanting to enter the tech sector, providing opportunities for people like ex-naval officer, Samuel Lloyd, to secure his first role in the tech sector.

And earlier this year, Microsoft announced a new partnership with the Queensland Government to provide opportunities and support for First Nations people interested in joining the state’s growing digital workforce.

There is much to be done to bring the skills and opportunity of tech sector jobs to more people, including those who are currently under-represented. This is vital to the continued diversification of our economy and to ensuring that the economic benefits are shared by all Australians.