Microsoft announces partnership with Queensland Government to help First Nations people join the state’s digital workforce.

Microsoft and the Queenland government will jointly launch the First Nations Digital Careers Program. The program will offer support and opportunities for First Nations peoples to thrive in Queensland’s digitally-enabled workforce.

Queensland’s Minister for Digital Economy, Leeanne Enoch, says the First Nations Digital Careers Program provided a wonderful opportunity for First Nations people to start an exciting digital career.

Over the next three-years, up to 100 placements will be supported by the program. Participants will work in paid employment for a government agency or industry organisation while they study in a nominated digital course..

Ms Enoch says the Queensland Government is delighted to work with Microsoft to develop this program that will provide employment and skilling opportunities for up to 100 people a year to start on their pathway to a digital career within government or industry.

“It also directly aligns with the Digital Queensland: Digital Professional Workforce Action Plan 2020–24,”

“The vision of this plan is for the Queensland Government and digital industry to position Queensland as an innovative, digitally-savvy economy by supporting an additional 10,000 digital professionals by 2024 through investing in skilling, reskilling and attracting a broader range of people into digital professions,” said Ms Enoch

Steven Worrall, Managing Director at Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, says the program will help tackle Australia’s expected ICT skills shortage and open up career pathways into the digital sector for members of Queensland’s Indigenous communities.

In August 2022, the pilot program for First Nations Digital Careers will begin in Brisbane. The program will offer the nationally accredited Certificate III Information Technology for up to 10 trainees.

Trainess will be paired with a mentor who will support them in their studies and work. They will also have the opportunity to learn more and get on-the-job experience during their traineeship, which will help them be better prepared for success.

Once the program is in operation, it will be modified as necessary to allow additional cohorts to begin in January or February 2023.