Steve Whan
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education
MEDIA RELEASE
Powering the digital future: first graduates emerge from TAFE NSW - Microsoft Datacentre Academy
Tuesday, 13 May 2025
A bold step toward powering Australia's digital future was taken yesterday as the first students graduated from the Datacentre Academy at TAFE NSW Meadowbank - a pioneering workforce development initiative created in partnership with Microsoft.
Australia is fast becoming a global digital powerhouse, now ranked among the top five data centre hubs worldwide. With more than 200 data centres across the country and investment projected to surge beyond $26 billion by 2030, the need for a skilled workforce to keep this critical infrastructure running has never been more urgent.
Enter the 22 trailblazing graduates of the Datacentre Academy - the newest additions to a rapidly expanding industry that underpins almost every aspect of modern life. From streaming your favourite shows to online banking, digital health appointments, and seamless ticketing systems, data centres are the silent workhorses powering it all.
With the explosion of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, the sector is set to require an additional 8,300 skilled workers by the end of the decade. These graduates are among the first wave of talent being equipped to meet that demand.
Co-designed by TAFE NSW and Microsoft, the Datacentre Academy offers two intensive short courses tailored to fast-track students into roles such as Data Centre Technician and Critical Environment Technician. Training includes hands-on experience in a simulated data centre lab at Meadowbank, along with mentoring and job-readiness support.
Beyond the classroom, graduates benefit from opportunities to interview with Microsoft and network with key industry employers looking to recruit the next generation of tech talent.
This first graduating class is more than a milestone - it's a signal that the Minns Labor Government is serious about building the skilled workforce needed to drive Australia's digital transformation.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:
"The tech sector is one of Australia's biggest and fastest-growing economic engines, and programs like the Datacentre Academy are key to making sure out students aren't just learning - they're launching careers.
Through this partnership, TAFE NSW is giving students direct access to the skills, knowledge, and industry connections they need to thrive in a digital world.
"This is more than training - it's a launchpad into one of the most critical industries of our time. With practical experience, mentoring, and targeted support, the Datacentre Academy is preparing a new generation of skilled professionals ready to meet the growing demand in the digital infrastructure sector."
Managing Director of Microsoft Australia, Steve Worrall said:
"We're thrilled to congratulate today's graduates - they're pioneers of a program that's unlocking real career opportunities in two of the most in-demand roles in tech: data centre technician and critical environment technician. We're proud to be part of their journey.
"The Datacentre Academy is part of a broader Microsoft commitment to help Australia seize the immense opportunities presented by cloud computing and generative AI. Our research with Mandala shows the AI economy alone could deliver $18.8 billion in annual revenue by 2035 - and it all starts with building the skilled workforce to get us there."
