Job Creation

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (15:01): My question is to the Minister for Innovation and Skills. Can the minister update the house on how the state government is growing jobs and apprenticeships in new industries and strengthening the economy?

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley—Minister for Innovation and Skills) (15:01): I thank the member for Kavel for his question and his interest in the new economy and new job opportunities in South Australia. We are creating more jobs and strengthening the economy by ensuring that we have a modern, skilled workforce here in South Australia. We are delivering new training opportunities that lead to real careers and providing employers with the skilled workforce they need.

To date, over 80 projects have been co-designed with industry under Skilling South Australia, with a value of more than $15 million. The innovative projects that industry is designing are exciting, particularly in those sectors that haven't traditionally used apprenticeships before. Those sectors have grown, with people coming in from universities and building those sectors. One such sector is the IT sector.

Last Thursday, I was delighted to launch a new project at DXC Technology, a $214,000 Skilling South Australia project, involving up to 40 participants, to boost industry capability and also increase flexibility in the IT workforce. The two-stage associate professional IT career pathway will offer students a Certificate IV in Information Technology at TAFE SA, with practical work experience at DXC's new digital transformation centre.

Those who successfully complete the certificate IV will then have the opportunity to continue with a two-year diploma paid traineeship under a training contract with the DXC Adelaide computer support and service centre. We are ensuring that South Australia has the skills to meet the expected demand for technology in South Australia, as we expect over 4,000 new tech-savvy jobs to be in demand over the next five years.

Managing Director of DXC Technology Australia and New Zealand, Seelan Nayagam, said that over 150 DXC digital technologists and enterprise solution experts in South Australia will gain employment in their new digital transformation centre, and DXC expects this to grow to 300 within the next 24 months. This is fantastic news for jobs here in South Australia and jobs in the new economy, and it is critical that we equip our workforce to meet the skilling needs of our state's existing and emerging and new industries.