January 28, 2014

Westpac and UOW join forces to help address technology skills shortage

Based on current trends, Australia’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry will be critically challenged in attracting, developing and retaining sufficient IT talent within the next five years and beyond.

In light of this situation, Westpac Banking Corporation and UOW have entered into a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in order to advance co-operative education and research and engagement activities across areas of mutual interest.

The MOU will involve the funding of UOW scholarships and prizes across relevant disciplines, and Westpac industry placements particularly for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Information Technology or the Bachelor of Business Information Systems.

It will also involve student mentoring and development of industry-based project proposals for final year IT projects and graduate placements and recruitment across relevant disciplines.

The MOU also includes developing talent and skills in Singapore and South East Asia through Westpac industry placements for students studying relevant UOW programs offered through the Singapore Institute of Management.

The signing broadly will incorporate research and academic collaborations in areas of common interest and engagement activities that will see Westpac senior staff involved in UOW graduation ceremonies for relevant disciplines and judging panels and awards for student trade shows and research showcases.

As one of the biggest employers of technologists in Australia, Westpac Group Technology sees the potential skills shortage as a serious concern both for their organisation and the economy as a whole.

Westpac Group Technology acknowledges that the University of Wollongong is one of the largest suppliers of ICT graduates in the country with “a stellar record in producing some of the industry’s best graduates”.

Combining their efforts, UOW and Westpac will take a proactive role in supporting up-and-coming Australian technologists and promoting technology as a viable career choice for Australians.

Westpac Group Technology Chief information Officer, Clive Whincup, said of the new partnership: “Westpac is taking a multifaceted approach to the challenge of attracting the next generation of ICT professionals and strong relationships with the tertiary education sector is an important element of that.”