Microsoft Australia today launched the Microsoft Traineeship Program in Sydney.

Prodigy Learning is delighted to partner with Microsoft to help Australians begin their journey to exciting careers in the technology industry. It is the first initiative in Australia to address the digital skills gap.

38 talented, diverse group of trainees attended the first induction and have now officially started the Microsoft Traineeship Program which will combine a Certificate IV in Information Technology with paid work experience at some of Australia’s leading organisations. Trainees will also undertake a core set of the latest Microsoft Azure certifications to ensure they obtain relevant skills aligned to some of the industry’s most in demand jobs.

According to the Australian Computer Society’s Digital Pulse 2018 report, demand for ICT professionals will grow by almost 100,000 to almost three quarters of a million people by 2023. An additional 2,250,000 Australians will be working in roles that regularly use technology.

Recently, Microsoft Australia announced its National Skills Program (NSP) designed to help today’s workers prepare for tomorrow’s digital and cloud-first world. The Microsoft Traineeship Program builds on that by creating a new stream of IT professionals. At present Australian universities produce less than 5,000 local graduates with an ICT-related degree each year, leaving a huge growing shortfall of skilled tech talent.
Microsoft is partnering with MEGT, Prodigy Learning and TAFE NSW to source, train and manage 150 trainees in the first Microsoft Traineeship Program intake in Sydney. Each trainee will be employed by MEGT which will recruit, screen, employ and support the trainee throughout the program. TAFE NSW and Prodigy Learning have co-designed and developed the training program, which blends the latest Microsoft Azure Certifications with a customised Certificate IV in Information Technology.

Microsoft’s Traineeship Program focuses on helping aspiring trainees, including school-leavers and career-changers, to enter the IT industry. The first 50 traineeship opportunities have been secured with both large and small businesses participating in the program, including ANZ Bank, Datacom, DXC, MOQdigital, oobe, TD Logicalis Veritec and XCentral– as well as Microsoft.

“As an industry we need to develop alternative paths to encourage more people to pursue a career in IT. We believe Vocational and Educational Training (VET) is a great alternative to a more traditional degree for people who want to embark on a tech career and the strong initial take-up from our clients and partners is testament to the demand that exists today for tech talent,” said Steven Worrall, Managing Director, Microsoft Australia.

“One year since the launch of our first national program in Australia, we are delighted to be working with Microsoft and TAFE NSW, using our experience of vocational programmes in Europe to create pathways for Australians to careers in Technology.  Microsoft certifications will set these trainees apart from their peers and give the host partners access to talent equipped with the cutting-edge Microsoft Azure cloud skills that they need today” said Andrew Flood, CEO, Prodigy Learning.

Pictured above at the Microsoft Traineeship Program launch is Peter O’Doherty (Market Development Manager, Prodigy Learning) with Steven Worrall (Managing Director, Microsoft Australia)

Bridging Australian Digital Skills gap

Recent research conducted by Microsoft identified that amongst its Australian technology partners, many are facing difficulties in recruiting individuals with the required skills, with the most common shortages being in Cloud Performance and Infrastructure, followed by Data Management and Analytics.

The Microsoft Traineeship Program will increase the pool of Microsoft Certified Professionals within the local industry. Through Microsoft’s guidance, participants in the pilot will have the opportunity to obtain a core set of Microsoft Certifications, including Microsoft Office Specialist, Microsoft Technology Associate and Microsoft Certified Professional Certifications to ensure they obtain industry recognised credentials. Future specialisations will include certifications that focus on Data & AI and Cybersecurity.

“The key benefits of the Program are the opportunities for meaningful growth available to everyone involved, from clients, partners and applicants, to the broader technology industry and Australian workforce. Although initially launching in Sydney, the Program provides a model that can be applied to different states and demographics nationwide,” Worrall said.

For further information and to start on your Microsoft Traineeship Program journey as a partner or trainee please visit: microsoft.com/en-au/microsoft-traineeship-program