Microsoft partner Veritec launches "apprenticeship-style" trainee program

Canberra-based Veritec has launched an “apprenticeship-style” trainee program for IT skills in partnership with a number of education providers.

The Microsoft partner is taking part in the Department of Jobs and Small Business’ Launch Into Work (LIW) program, an ongoing pilot supporting IT skills development through a pre-employment and skills development pathway.

Veritec partnered with education provider Australian Training Company (ATC), the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) and Skills Canberra.

“We’re excited to play a role in developing and boosting Canberra’s digital skills capability,” Veritec chief executive Keiran Mott said.

“This program offers the opportunity for on the job training and skills development to a diverse group of individuals. At the same time, it also provides potential career enhancing opportunities for those transitioning from different industries effectively putting them in pole position for new career prospects in the growing digital economy.”

Similar to a trades apprenticeship, participants with no prior IT experience will work at Veritec while completing Microsoft certifications and Certificate II, III or IV courses at CIT, which is Canberra's equivalent of TAFE. The program’s first batch of ten apprentices recently completed a four-week pre-employment program at Veritec’s offices, and have been offered a range of two-year traineeships.

The trainees will work across Veritec’s specialised teams, including managed services, business applications, engagement applications, bespoke solutions, delivery assurance and enterprise resource planning, as well as their operations team.

“This invaluable, real-world immersion will give the trainees the opportunity to develop both the technical and essential skills necessary to succeed in the IT sector, including project approach and design as well as client and stakeholder engagement,” Mott said.

“It’s been really encouraging to see that this program has appealed to a broad range of individuals at different stages of life, including early school leavers, year 12 graduates, career changers and mature aged workers.”

Microsoft last year launched a similar program in partnership with MEGT, Prodigy Learning and TAFE NSW, combining a Certificate IV in Information Technology Networking with paid work experience. Trainees also get a a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate certification, which includes a specialisation in cloud skills.