Monday 2 December 2024 – The Tech Council of Australia (TCA) has committed to a NSW Government initiative that will address the state’s projected shortfall of digital workers and support Australia’s tech talent to find their way into jobs, no matter the pathway.
Today, Tech Council Head of Policy, Harry Godber, signed the NSW Digital Skills and Workforce Compact’s 20% Alternative Pathways Pledge, committing to ensuring 20% of the TCA’s entry-level digital hires come from alternative educational pathways.
“This initiative helps tackle Australia’s digital skills gap and supports our goal of reaching 1.2 million tech jobs by 2030,” he said.
“Exploring alternative pathways is key to strengthening our tech workforce pipeline, filling critical roles and addressing workforce shortages. We can’t rely on traditional education alone to keep pace with the growing demand for tech skills.”
Examples of alternative pathways include VET education, vendor courses and earn-while-you-learn models, where companies provide training with paid employment.
“These pathways help fill entry-level positions, but also foster a more diverse and inclusive industry,” Mr Kassabgi said.
“By opening doors to people from varied backgrounds and experiences, we ensure our workforce better reflects the broader community it serves.”
The Tech Council is committed to supporting this pledge, and recognises it as a practical and effective approach to creating a robust, dynamic workforce. We believe this initiative will play a significant role in the development of innovation and growth in our sector, helping to secure Australia’s digital future.
The 20% Alternative Pathways Pledge, signed by partners of the NSW Digital Skills and Workforce Compact, is a collaborative effort between government, education providers, and the digital industry to address the anticipated shortfall of 85,000 digital workers across NSW by 2030.
