The Victorian Government has unveiled a $4.25 million extension to its Digital Jobs programme, set to generate 1,000 new, fully funded training slots in Victoria’s construction and advanced manufacturing sectors. Between August 2025 and February 2027, executives and workers across the state will have free, industry-approved training and leadership programmes. Beginning June 1, 2025, firms must obtain an ABN and register for GST. Government agencies cannot participate in the programme, ensuring that public financing only supports private sector supply chains.
Danny Pearson, the Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, stated that the programme “is ensuring Victoria’s workforce has the critical digital skills we need in key sectors like construction and advanced manufacturing now and into the future supporting workers and businesses to keep pace with a rapidly evolving digital landscape.”
More than 6,000 individuals in Victoria have taken advantage of the programme to enhance their digital skills. Companies can now secure up to five vouchers per round to enrol employees in specialised courses covering AI/machine learning, BIM, CAD/CAM, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing, project management, and new technologies.
The workforce is growing to support aspirations for improved data governance, increased cloud storage usage, and the dismantling of data silos across industries. Qualifying companies receive training vouchers. A firm can receive as many as five vouchers each round, provided they are available. A business must meet several criteria to qualify: it should operate in the construction or advanced manufacturing sector in Victoria, possess an ABN and GST registration by June 1, 2025, fulfil its industrial relations obligations, and be classified as a small to medium business with fewer than 200 employees.
Additionally, the business must commit to providing on-the-job training for its employees to enhance their skills and knowledge through six-week specialist courses. Federal, state, and municipal government agencies cannot participate. Training rounds kick off in August 2025, followed by sessions in February and August 2026, and concluding in February 2027.
Anthony Carbines, the Member for Ivanhoe, stated, “businesses and workers in Heidelberg know first-hand the benefits of this program, it helps workers build the skills they need for high-skilled jobs in the local community.”
Courses cover:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning – enhance workforce capability by automating repetitive tasks, improving decision-making, and supporting predictive analytics in infrastructure planning and service delivery.
- Building Information Modelling (BIM) – enables precise digital collaboration in construction projects. It improves design accuracy, reduces data silos, and streamlines asset management across departments.
- Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) – enhance advanced manufacturing workflows by linking digital design data to automated production, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced waste.
- Cybersecurity – improves defences against data breaches, guarantees secure data sharing, protects privacy, and ensures compliance with public sector data governance standards.
- Data analytics – empowers professionals to interpret data collections, identify performance trends, and support evidence-based decision-making in government programmes.
- Digital marketing – enables businesses to connect with communities more effectively through targeted campaigns and online communication platforms.
- Emerging technologies – demonstrate how AI, IoT, and automation transform data storage and the delivery of digital services in the future.
- Agile project management – drives effective leadership and delivery structures that efficiently oversee digital transformation initiatives across diverse teams.
Specialist digital skills courses run for six weeks on a part-time basis. Leadership workshops and trade-on-tools sessions take place in person, typically lasting just one day. The Digital Jobs Programme Handbook includes modules on business analytics and visualisation using tools such as Excel and Tableau. The training model combines self-paced online content, live webinars, synchronous classes, and capstone projects, with structured milestones essential for final assessments.
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This initiative addresses critical gaps in data governance and boosts digital government capabilities. Better training in artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and project management helps the public sector be more prepared to use shared data platforms, break down data barriers, and ensure safe cloud storage. Executives who complete training in this framework gain improved skills to manage data collection, encourage data sharing, and foster data collaboration across different departments and agencies. Strengthening workforce capabilities in cybersecurity and privacy will enhance the data governance frameworks crucial for digital government initiatives.
“This program is ensuring Victoria’s workforce has the critical digital skills we need in key sectors like construction and advanced manufacturing now and into the future — supporting workers and businesses to keep pace with a rapidly evolving digital landscape,” stated Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson.
Leaders overseeing public sector operations must take immediate action. Combine procurement, workforce planning, and technology adoption strategies to connect with talent trained through vouchers. Government agencies lack access to vouchers but can collaborate with businesses integrating trained workers, which enhances data governance capabilities within public systems. Operational leaders in procurement, data, IT, and transformation gain access to a new generation of trained professionals. These experts are skilled in cloud storage, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and governance.
The Digital Jobs expansion will invest $4.25 million to deliver 1,000 free training opportunities in Victoria’s construction and advanced manufacturing sectors over the next two years. This initiative strengthens workforce capabilities in AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud storage, and digital transformation. Since launching in 2021, the initiative has helped over 5,500 individuals in Victoria transition to digital roles and has strengthened the skills of more than 500 workers in the manufacturing sector.
Starting from 1 June 2025, businesses must have an ABN and GST registration to meet the new eligibility criteria. Government agencies will be excluded, ensuring public funding enhances private sector supply chains. Training rounds will kick off in August 2025 and run through 2027. Executives should strategically align their hiring, procurement, and transformation plans to effectively integrate voucher-trained talent into roles that strengthen data governance capabilities and support successful digital government initiatives.
Justin Lavadia is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum with a diverse writing background spanning various niches and formats. With a wealth of experience, he brings clarity and concise communication to digital content. His expertise lies in crafting engaging content and delivering impactful narratives that resonate with readers.
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