A record number of young people across the country are accessing an online work experience program to build skills and prepare for future careers in Australia’s growing tech jobs market.

The Virtual Work Experience program, delivered by the Tech Council of Australia (TCA) in partnership with leading education group Year13, and supported by some of Australia’s leading technology employers such as CommBank, Microsoft and nbn®, has achieved more than 3,000 completions in just six months.

The Virtual Work Experience program was launched in February 2024 and aims to give young Australians, including those experiencing disadvantage or increased barriers to employment, the opportunity to experience careers in tech.  

As part of the program, CBA has sponsored two Virtual Work Experience modules: software engineering and data science. The data science module has garnered interest, achieving more than 250,000 video views.

The milestone was noted at a Virtual Work Experience module demonstration held last month with students from Alfred Deakin High School in Canberra. The event was attended by CBA Data Analytics Group Practice Lead Vicki Wood and CBA Data Scientist Andy Go, who spoke to students and provided a first-hand walk-through of the CBA data scientist module.

Speaking at the demonstration event, Ms Wood said: “We are delighted to be part of this initiative, and it’s encouraging to see how much interest the program has received in only a few months since it launched.

“As one of Australia’s largest employers, that is leading the way with technological innovation and skills-led careers, we know we have a role to play in helping build Australia’s tech talent pipeline.

“Through our partnership with TCA and Year13, we are encouraging young people to meet the skills of the future, as well as helping to improve diversity and accessibility, particularly supporting more women into a career in tech.” 

The program's success underscores the growing interest and need for practical tech experiences that bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application. CBA's involvement is one way the Bank is helping to foster talent within the technology sector.

As the Virtual Work Experience program continues to expand, CBA remains committed to providing valuable insights and opportunities for students, by launching additional modules over the coming months including UX/UI Design and Platform Engineering.

“TCA and Year13’s Virtual Work Experience program stands as a powerful example of how industry collaboration can enhance educational experiences and drive engagement among the next generation of tech professionals. It’s a privilege to work in an organisation that is helping young people navigate their career paths and preparing them for future roles in the tech industry,” concluded Ms Wood.

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