Tech Council Partners Forum to engage with tech adopters, innovators and the growing indirect tech workforce
The Tech Council Partners Forum, launched today, will bring industry leaders and experts together to accelerate technology adoption and investment, foster innovation and expand tech employment opportunities across all sectors of the Australian economy.
TCA Board Director Richard White said collaborating with major organisations across industries was critical to influence how technology can transform the future of Australia and its economy.
“Tech jobs aren’t confined to the pure tech players. More than half of tech workers are employed in jobs and organisations that stretch across the broader economy including in retail, banking, mining and professional services,” White said.
“The Tech Council Partners Forum is an important platform to foster collaboration and innovation across all organisations, regardless of industry.”
“Our partners are thought leaders, innovators and adopters of technology in their field and employ a significant number of tech workers, and it’s important that we engage to positively influence the impact of technology across our economy and grow the tech ecosystem.”
According to the Tech Council’s 2023 Tech Jobs Update, 62% of tech workers are employed in the indirect tech industry.
“Advancements in technology such as artificial intelligence will deliver huge productivity and efficiency gains across the economy, and the Tech Council Partners Forum brings together organisations to showcase their expertise and work collaboratively on extracting advantage and solving emerging challenges in the economy,” White said.
The Tech Council Partners Forum builds on the success of the Digital Employment Forum, expanding its scope to the evolving needs of Australia’s tech landscape by connecting industry leaders, advisors, technology experts and innovative businesses to collaborate on practical initiatives to build the tech workforce pipeline, drive safe and responsible adoption of technology, and drive investment in innovation across the economy.
Successful initiatives of the Digital Employment Forum have included the launch of the national technology Virtual Work Experience Program and groundbreaking research on the pathway to 1.2 million tech jobs in Australia.
Partners include the Commonwealth Bank, Herbert Smith Freehills, NBN Co, Lockton, the Australian Public Service Commission, and the Australian Technology Network of Universities.
The Partners Forum is open to organisations that have demonstrated leadership through the adoption of technology, support of the tech industry, or thought leadership, and provides an opportunity for companies to participate in working groups and events to inform and influence technology policy, build skills and knowledge across organisations, and take part in practical programs to grow the tech ecosystem.
Mark Luckin, National Manager, Cyber and Technology Sector at Lockton, said, “Lockton’s Cyber and Technology Sector Practice is immensely proud, and even more so excited, by the opportunity to meaningfully contribute, provide knowledge and help shape tech sector policy via Australia’s peak tech sector industry body. As a proud Tech Council of Australia member, we believe the tech industry is facing more opportunities than ever before, and we are passionate about what the future holds in the tech space.”
“As a large organisation with an entrepreneurial spirit, our values and core principles perfectly align with the Tech Council of Australia’s and their mission to bring collaboration and education to the industry. We are excited for what the future holds as a Tech Council of Australia member and look forward to deepening our relationship with our fellow members.”
Jane Adams, Executive General Manager Human Resources Technology at CommBank, added, “At CommBank, we recognise that the future of work is intertwined with technology across all sectors of the economy. The Tech Council Partners Forum is a pivotal step towards building a collaborative environment where diverse industries can leverage technology to drive innovation and create meaningful employment opportunities, ensuring that we all thrive in this digital age.”
Julian Lincoln, Partner, Head of TMT and Digital Australia at Herbert Smith Freehills, said, “We are delighted to be joining the Tech Council of Australia to help progress its innovation-forward agenda. There are a number of significant and emerging legal issues impacting Australia’s tech sector. As part of the Tech Council of Australia Partners Forum, we intend to play a leading role in cultivating innovation in Australia by collaborating with others who share our keen interest in enhancing the future of this critical sector.”
“By joining the Forum and utilising our deep expertise from our market-leading technology and data, corporate and disputes practices, we will continue to guide our clients in the sector and ensure the overall sector’s continued long-term growth and success.”
