Perth’s newest technology hub has been established through a partnership between the University of Western Australia and a prominent Australian multinational bank, aiming to cultivate the future generation of skilled professionals. The Bankwest and CBA Perth Tech Hub have been created to bolster the digital economy in Western Australia by supporting an expanding group of digitally proficient professionals.
The Perth Tech Hub is anticipated to generate over 100 new job openings, encompassing roles in data science, cybersecurity, and software engineering. These positions will contribute to projects that bring advantages to customers, employees, and the communities in which CBA and Bankwest operate.
The collaboration was warmly received by the Head of the Department for Computer Science and Software Engineering at UWA, who recognized its potential to offer invaluable career experience for upcoming technology professionals. The shared focus on teaching and research in emerging digital technologies, including computer science, cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, and software engineering, was emphasised.
Through this partnership, a range of joint activities will be pursued, such as industry-led skills workshops, collaborative projects, work-integrated learning placements, and technology-focused events. These initiatives aim to equip UWA students with the necessary skills and knowledge to address the existing technology skills shortage not only in Australia but also on a global scale.
According to the Bank’s CIO, the establishment of the Perth Tech Hub aligns with their nationwide effort to drive technological advancement and expand their team of skilled technology professionals in Western Australia. The Hub is envisioned as an innovative and collaborative space that will cater to highly skilled technologists, dedicated engineers, analysts, and developers.
The bank believes that its early careers programme in the technology industry is among the finest and expresses its ambition to foster its growth in WA. The partnership with prominent universities in the state is expected to facilitate a comprehensive enhancement of technology capabilities, talent pipeline, and innovation across the sector.
The Tech Council of Australia (TCA) Research, unveiled at Parliament House by the Minister for Industry and Science, and the Minister for Skills and Training, has disclosed a noteworthy development in tech employment.
According to the research, there has been an 8% surge in tech jobs in the previous year, resulting in a total tech workforce of 935,000 as of February 2023. This figure accounts for 78% of the target set by Prime Minister Albanese in 2030.
The report found that 10,500 jobs were added to the tech sector in the past three months, up until March 2023. Notably, the majority of this growth occurred in the indirect tech sector, referring to tech-intensive roles within non-tech industries. This expansion was observed across various sectors such as retail, banking, professional services, government, and mining.
While reports suggest downsizing in tech firms, it is noteworthy that jobs in the direct tech sector have remained stable. Surprisingly, the research conducted by TCA reveals a fascinating trend: for every job lost in the past quarter, a remarkable 20 new jobs have been created. This signifies strong resilience and growth within the direct tech sector.
The growth observed, as highlighted by the CEO of TCA, is seen as a demonstration of the integral nature of tech jobs within all sectors of the Australian economy. The focus of the world’s leading economies is believed to be on digitally upskilling their workforce should also be a priority for Australia. The intention is for Australia to be positioned at the forefront of this transition.
The expansion of tech jobs in non-traditional tech industries is seen as an indication of a long-term structural change in the Australian economy. Furthermore, it indicates the deep integration of digital skills into all aspects of the economy.
