The Victorian Digital Skills Compact has recently been released and it sets out an ambitious, collaborative vision for building a future-ready workforce, recognising that digital capability is now essential across every industry.
The report highlights that Victoria will need nearly 88,000 extra digital workers by 2035, alongside a broader uplift in digital skills across all occupations.
Rather than framing this simply as a challenge, the Compact positions it as a significant opportunity:
- to strengthen productivity
- drive innovation, and
- ensure all Victorians can participate fully in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
At its core, the Compact is a partnership model, bringing together government, employers, TAFEs, Learn Locals and private providers. It emphasises that no single part of the system can meet future skills needs alone. Instead, shared responsibility, collaboration and accountability are positioned as key principles, enabling stakeholders to align their upskilling efforts, share their expertise and then work together to scale what is proven to make a difference. Crucially, the Compact reinforces the central role of VET as an equally important pathway into digital careers, alongside higher education and industry-led learning.
The vision is both inclusive and practical. It focuses on people of all backgrounds, at all different stages of their career history, and located across the state will have access to the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in the digital economy. The Compact places a strong emphasis on widening participation, with a clear focus on engaging women, First Peoples, people with disability and regional learners in digital careers. This reflects a clear commitment to building not just a larger workforce, but a more diverse, adaptable and resilient one.
The report details a range of practical initiatives both planned and underway, including the TAFE Centre of Excellence in Digital, AI and Technology, investing in educator capability, and expanding flexible training pathways such as micro-credentials, bootcamps and traineeships. The Compact promotes stronger industry engagement to ensure that training is aligned with real-world needs; and it also introduces an “alternative pathways pledge” where compact signatories commit to fill at least 20 percent of entry-level digital roles are filled through people coming from alternative pathways.
The Compact presents a constructive roadmap for the VET sector. It highlights the sector’s critical role in delivering both foundational and advanced digital skills, while also creating stronger connections between learners and employers.
For VET practitioners and VET leaders, there is strong policy backing, growing industry demand, and a genuine opportunity to lead in shaping a more inclusive and future-focused digital workforce.
