Our tech future is in the clouds, with two computer-savvy local lads from Dubbo College Senior Campus recently completing virtual work experience with some of the state’s best young minds.

The Australian-first initiative offered vocational and educational training (VET) pupils the opportunity to earn industry credentials and explore potential career paths in the digital sector, with Nathan Batten loving the experience.

"I found the benefits of this program included flexibility, work-life balance, and an insight into the future job market of cloud computing," Nathan said. "I chose to study Certificate III in Information Digital Technologies (IDT) because it is a potential career pathway I am highly interested in," he added.

As well as Dubbo College Senior Campus, participating Western NSW schools included Dubbo School of Distance Education, and Gilgandra High School, among a group of 500-plus other students from around NSW.

During the initiative, the internees were offered insights into how generative artificial intelligence and machine-learning can be leveraged by businesses to drive growth and foster innovation, fellow Dubbo student Rocco Wrigley discovered.

"The IDT virtual work placement, was a valuable insight into the cloud environment for an aspiring software engineer like myself,” Rocco said. "There are several benefits when working within the cloud industry made clear by the AWS team such as flexibility, the ability to work from anywhere and multiple entry pathways," he added.

He said that the initiative’s high-technology online medium, will become how many people work in coming decades.

"I chose to participate in the virtual work placement, as it is most definitely the way of the future. It takes what I love about computers, and turns it into a sustainable career pathway,” Rocco enthused.

The innovative project was run through the NSW Digital Compact, a strategic initiative launched by the NSW Government, aimed at driving digital transformation across the state, NSW Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Minister, Steve Whan said.

"I'm thrilled to see such enthusiasm and dedication from the 550 VET students participating in this ground-breaking Virtual Work Placement Program during National Careers Week,” Mr Whan said.

“This initiative represents a significant opportunity for students to explore exciting digital career paths and encourages them to think about a future in the digital world,” he added.

The program, a collaboration between the NSW Government, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and the Youth Futures Network, addresses a looming critical skills shortage.

“A recent study… found 90 per cent of employers envision their companies becoming AI-driven organisations by 2028 — cloud skills are key to future jobs,” Amazon Web Services, Australia and New Zealand Director of Enterprise, Louise Stigwood said.

“This Virtual Work Placement Program provides students with invaluable hands-on experience working with cloud computing technologies that are transforming industries around the world,” she concluded.