Australia’s
tech
workforce
has
grown
8
percent
in
the
past
12
months,
in
line
with
the
government’s
goal
of
1.2
million
technology-related
jobs
by
2030.
Figures
released
today
by
the
Tech
Council
show
the
overall
tech
workforce
has
increased
to
935,000
compared
to
865,000
a
year
ago.
Driving
the
increase
are
software
developers,
data
analysts
and
cyber
security
jobs
working
in
non-tech
companies,
such
as
banks
and
supermarkets.
In
a
bid
to
meet
demand
for
technology
jobs,
the
government
is
working
with
industry
to
train
up
more
Australians
in
the
field
of
technology.
Fee-Free
TAFE
and
vocational
education
and
training
places
have
seen
a
surge
in
enrolments
this
year,
with
over
14,500
of
the
146,000
Fee-Free
TAFE
enrolments
to
date
occurring
in
Technology
and
Digital
courses.
This
will
quickly
provide
critical
skills
and
see
more
well-trained
tech
workers.
The
Digital
and
Tech
Skills
Working
Group,
comprised
of
industry,
unions
and
the
training
and
education
sector
is
due
to
deliver
a
‘Digital
Apprenticeship’
scheme
report
to
government
next
month.
Jobs
and
Skills
Australia,
along
with
the
newly
established
Jobs
and
Skills
Councils,
will
also
act
as
a
source
of
advice
on
issues
affecting
the
tech
industry,
providing
strategic
and
practical
leadership
in
addressing
skills
and
workforce
challenges.
“With
a
steady
increase
to
nearly
935,000
tech
workers
this
year,
compared
to
865,000
last
year,
we
are
well
on
track
to
deliver
1.2
million
jobs
by
2030,”
said
Hon
Ed
Husic,
Minister
for
Industry
and
Science.
“If
the
tech
workforce
were
an
industry,
it
would
be
the
7th
largest
employer
in
Australia.
Boosting
the
number
of
tech
jobs
in
our
workforce
is
not
a
“nice
to
have”
–
they’re
incredibly
vital
to
building
stronger,
competitive
Australian
businesses
in
the
long
run.
Workers
with
tech
skills
are
highly
sought
after
for
well-paying,
secure
jobs.
On
coming
to
government,
we
prioritised
tackling
digital
skill
shortages
by
investing
in
local
training
and
skills
development
along
with
attracting
talent
from
overseas. That’s
why
we
made
tech
jobs
a
priority
in
recruitment
for
the
464,000
fee-free
TAFE
places
–
and
why
we’re
reforming
our
skilled
visa
system.
The
Albanese
government
wants
Australia
to
be
recognised
for
its
digital
talent
and
using
that
talent
to
drive
the
growth
of
a
modernised,
advanced
economy.”
“Skills
shortages
are
gripping
the
nation
and
the
tech
sector
is
no
exception. Database
and
Systems
Administrators,
ICT
Security
Specialists
and
Systems
Analysts
remain
in
the
top
20
occupations
in
demand,”
said
Hon
Brendan
O’Connor,
Minister
for
Skills
and
Training.
“That
is
why
our
government
wants
to
support
a
VET
sector
that
not
only
gets
people
into
jobs,
but
on
the
path
to
a
well-paying
career.
The
strategic
investment
in
education
and
skills
by
the
Albanese
Government
will
equip
hundreds
of
thousands
of
Australians
with
the
skills
needed
in
this
critical,
growing
sector
of
our
economy.”
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