The Ribit platform made accessible to TAFE Digital students will connect employers with student talent with skills in cyber security, AI and machine learning, information networking, website development, database design, business and data analytics.
Demand for roles involving data science, data analytics and big data is high while the talent supply is low. In Australia, 90% of respondents to an Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia poll found recruiting for these roles more difficult than prior years, despite organisations paying nearly twice the median Australian salary for professionals with these skills.
“VET students who undertake career related work experience during their studies are almost 70% more likely to be employed first year out,” said The Hon. Adam John Marshall, Assistant Minister for Skills.
“The agreement between TAFE Digital and Ribit.net is an important collaboration that will see NSW lead the charge in skilling up students for tomorrow’s jobs.”
The agreement between the two organisations will involve inviting students to join the Ribit network, giving them exposure to thousands of companies looking for tech talent around Australia, and provide the opportunity for students to attend targeted events per year which introduce them with companies that are investing in data-driven talent.
GM, TAFE Digital Megan Aitken says, “We have thousands of students looking to gain experience in their chosen field of study. Through this collaboration TAFE Digital will provide more meaningful connections, and work experience for students in areas where skills demand is the highest such as cyber security and machine learning.”
CEO, CSIRO’s Data61, Adrian Turner agrees. He says, “TAFE Digital provides in-demand education to students looking to work in high-growth areas. Ribit connects them to these businesses via a matching algorithm. One of our goals as an organisation is to support STEM careers across the nation, and we are pleased to launch this partnership by opening up more opportunities for students with TAFE Digital in NSW through the Ribit platform.”
Director, Ribit.net, Liz Jakubowski says, “Increasingly businesses are less interested in where or what a student studies and more in what they have learned and can demonstrate in the workplace. TAFE’s new digitally focused courses address the areas that fast growing, transforming businesses need.”
Background information
TAFE Digital and CSIRO’s Data61 Ribit.net launch the initiative at the Sydney Startup Hub.
The collaboration will be announced by The Hon. Adam John Marshall, Assistant Minister for Skills and supported by Megan Aitken, TAFE Digital CEO, Luke Mitchell, CSIRO’s Data61 Chief Operating Officer and Liz Jakubowski, Ribit.net’s Founder. Select media have been invited to attend.