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Government of South Australia - Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

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    7th Sep 2023
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    AnnouncementsCritical Technologies

    Graduates celebrate outcomes of free tech training

    Almost 150 career seekers have now graduated from FORTE training – a pilot program equipping participants with the digital skills required to find work in the state’s fast-growing tech sector.

    Backed by Department for Industry, Innovation and Science funding, FORTE has partnered with local training providers on its mission to increase the diversity of the tech workforce and ensure attractive tech career opportunities are accessible to communities currently under-represented in the sector:

    • Women
    • Young people (ages 18-24)
    • Indigenous Australians
    • People living with a disability.
    In 2021, the tech sector contributed $6 billion to the South Australian economy and employed 33,000 people.
    FORTE 2023 graduates

    2023 FORTE Graduates

    A graduation event held on Wednesday 6 September gave the FORTE team and participants the opportunity to share program achievements, including an impressive 89% course completion rate (well above the average VET course completion rate) and employment outcomes with companies like Accenture, CyberCX, Deloitte, Fleet Space, Lockheed Martin, Optus, PWC, Tic:Toc and Westpac.

    The official training period ended 30 June 2023, and already 55 graduates (40%) have found employment in their chosen field, two have found employment in unrelated sectors, and the remainder are actively job seeking with the support of FORTE and their training providers.

    Hear from FORTE program participants

    Coming from a hospitality background, Dani Barry was surprised but delighted to receive multiple job offers in the tech sector after completing just 12 weeks of free training with FORTE.

    The busy mum of three young children chose to embark on the Salesforce development course and is now a Data and Systems Coordinator.

    “I never imagined that I would be able to go from working part-time in hospitality into a tech career,” Dani said.

    “Thanks to FORTE, I have been able to access the support, guidance and opportunities necessary for a bright future in the field of IT.

    “FORTE has helped me realise the immense value of my transferable skills from tourism and hospitality, which have proven instrumental in achieving my career aspirations in IT.

    “This has been an incredible journey to build my tech skills, gain practical experience and confidence in an industry I’m passionate about - I am thrilled to see where it will lead me next.”

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