The Andrews Labor Government is addressing industry demand for workers in future tech with a new employment program.

Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford today announced the Labor Government’s $2.1 million Future Tech Talent Initiative from Jobs Victoria, which is matching businesses with the talent they need to grow their e-commerce and digital marketing capability.

The initiative will give 115 jobseekers the exciting opportunity to start a new career in social media content development, sales, digital marketing, user experience and customer account management.

Priority will be given to women aged 45 and over, young people aged 18 to 25, Aboriginal Victorians, people with disability, and people facing long-term unemployment.

The new recruits will receive paid pre-employment training, 12 months of secure employment, professional development, mentoring and work-readiness training to support their career transition – most of the new jobs to be based in Melbourne with some regional opportunities.

Grant Arnott, Executive Director of Global Marketplace and Click Frenzy, welcomes the initiative. Like many Victorian businesses, he has struggled to find people with the tech skills he needs. He believes this new way to recruit will pay off for businesses and employees alike.

Jobs Victoria is delivering the initiative in partnership with Think & Grow, an organisation that supports fast-growth technology businesses through recruitment and advisory services.

Think & Grow will work closely with employers to identify their needs and match jobseekers to suitable roles based on their skills, experience and aspirations.

Australia’s rapidly expanding technology sector is expected to need 286,000 new workers by 2025. Nationwide, 87 percent of all jobs currently require some level of digital skills.

The Future Tech Talent Initiative is supported by the Jobs Victoria Fund, which is creating 10,000 steady and secure jobs in sectors where they’re needed most.

Job opportunities will be advertised on the Jobs Victoria online hub, a free service that matches employers with suitable jobseekers. For more information visit jobs.vic.gov.au or call the Jobs Victoria hotline on 1300 208 575.