Hundreds of Victorians, including those in Hume and Whittlesea, will have the opportunity to launch new digital careers after completing the state funded Digital Jobs program through Victoria University.
The $63.8 million scheme is in its sixth round and will welcome 800 new recruits to the program.
The program supports mid-career Victorians through 12-week intensive training courses to gain qualifications and skills in cyber security, IT support, digital marketing and business analytics, before they are matched with a business for a 12-week job placement.
In this latest round, a $2.5 million investment will support candidates to complete their training, while a separate $5000 wage subsidy is available to eligible Victorian employers towards the cost of employing candidates during the 12-week internships.
Industry and Innovation minister Ben Carroll said the program supports Victorians to transition into digital careers by opening the door to exciting new work opportunities.
“[We’re] backing them with the training they need and a foot in the door,” he said.
“Victorian businesses are in need of workers with digital skills, and this program is delivering a skilled workforce equipped for jobs of the future.”
According to the state government approximately 87 per cent of current jobs in Australia require digital literacy skills, with Deloitte forecasting that Victoria will need an extra 33,000 technology workers by 2024.
Since the program was launched in August 2021, the Digital Jobs program has helped match more than 740 Victorian businesses with more than 2500 candidates, offering a range of experience, talents, and transferrable skills.
The inclusive program supports those mid-career, women, regional and culturally diverse Victorians to find a job in the digital economy – to date, 56 per cent of candidates have been women, while 65 per cent speak a language other than English, and 13 per cent live in regional Victoria.
Businesses can register for an online information session on February 8 or find out more at www.vic.gov.au/digital-jobs/businesses
