Year13 and Digital Skills Organisation partner to grow tech sector workforce

Year13 and Digital Skills Organisation (DSO) have announced Tech Expo – a new national initiative to drive consideration of careers in the technology sector and to equip Australia for an increasingly digitised workforce.

Commencing with an event held last night at Atlassian in Sydney, including speeches from Will Stubley, co-founder Year13, Patrick Kidd, CEO at DSO, and David Masters from Atlassian, Tech Expo includes a virtual academy, industry events and native digital and social content – all aimed at showcasing the breadth of industries and roles requiring digital skills.

All campaign content has been created by Year13’s in-house team of Gen Z content creators.

According to research from the Digital Skills Organisation, Australia will need between 150,000 and 300,000 digital technology workers by 2025, representing 1 in 4 jobs created in that period.

Year13's Will Stubley

Commenting, Year13 CEO Will Stubley said: “Our research reveals 63% of young people would be more likely to consider tech careers if they knew about the tech skills shortages, rising salaries and additional perks.

“It’s a privilege to partner with the Digital Skills Organisation to educate and inspire young people on the opportunities available to them in tech, and the pathways to get into great tech careers – including a rich native content campaign developed by Year13’s Gen Z team to appropriately target and motivate a Gen Z audience.”

A recent survey by Year13, found 45% of students in Australia say they did not learn enough about digital skills in high school – despite the ever-increasing demand for digital skills across the Australian economy. Tech Expo aims to address this gap, targeting students via a range of digital channels, connecting tech companies and tech educators with learners, whilst also partnering with schools to emphasise the importance of digital skills.

Year13's Saxon Phipps (rear) with panellists talking about tech careers

Patrick Kidd, CEO DSO added: “Informing and inspiring young people to consider tech is vital for Australia’s economic future. Equipping young people with the right digital skills is vital, but challenging, because Australia is simply not producing people with the right skills.

“The deficit of digitally skilled workers will be felt acutely in the years ahead. We need to ensure we are training, upskilling and supporting our high school students to develop the skills employers are looking for.

“Tech Expo will bring new perspectives and raise awareness of the digital skills gap, whilst also helping young people with hands-on advice and install the importance of digital skills.”

About Year13
Year13 was made by young people, for young people. It was born when the Year13 founders were just leaving school themselves, and while the team has swelled to over 50 people. Founders Saxon Phipps and Will Stubley explain the Year13 mission is to improve the health and happiness of all young Australians and ensure a smooth transition from school into the real world.