Victoria University (VU) and Microsoft Australia are proud to announce the official opening of Victoria's first Datacentre Academy, located at VU's Footscray Nicholson Campus.
Demand for datacentre capacity in Victoria is accelerating as cloud adoption and AI drive new investment in local digital infrastructure. As new facilities come online and existing sites scale up, the need for job-ready talent grows just as quickly - particularly for technicians with hands-on skills in critical environments, safety, operations and networking.
To help meet the state's growing technical talent needs, VU and Microsoft came together to establish the Microsoft Datacentre Academy, with capacity for 48 students earlier this month. The program was also the recipient of an industry-matched grant from the Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions.
The Hon. Danny Pearson, Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs said "We are proud to support the Microsoft Datacentre Academy at VU. This program is focused on shaping future workforce capabilities and addressing critical skills gaps. Through the AI Mission statement, we are paving the way for our state to become the nation's capital of AI - and we're making sure Victorians have the skills they need to do the jobs of the future."
The program supports VU's vision to deliver fully funded, demand-driven courses that enhance employability outcomes for students, along with strengthening VU's reputation as an innovative and responsive education provider. It also builds on Microsoft's global Datacentre Community Pledge and ongoing local investments in skilling initiatives designed to set Australian workers up for success in the new AI economy.
From cloud services, streaming and AI, datacentres are integral to protecting and storing our digital lives. As this burgeoning critical infrastructure industry continues to grow at pace, so does the demand for a specialised workforce dedicated to monitoring, networking and maintaining critical systems in datacentre environments.
The Microsoft Datacentre Academy at VU is a comprehensive program specifically designed to help address the significant skills gaps driving workforce shortages in two in-demand roles: critical environment technicians and datacentre technicians.
The program includes hands-on training, mentoring from Microsoft and business leaders, industry certifications, and career readiness.
- Datacentre Essentials is an entry-level, 12-week course, based on VU's Footscray Nicholson campus, for anyone with basic IT skills interested in knowing more about how datacentres function, their infrastructure, safety and security measurements. Students will apply their learning using a simulated datacentre lab providing hands-on experience and skills.
- The Critical Environment Technician 16-week course, focuses on the specialist skills needed to monitor and maintain environments and includes access to purpose-built datacentre simulator that emulates a data-hall "cage" where students will learn to install, configure and maintain servers, data storage and connectivity.
Both short courses feature interactive sessions with Microsoft staff, offering all 48 students unique access to industry professionals with insider knowledge and invaluable career mentoring support.
The two fee-free, short-form courses also include employment readiness and exposure to industry employment opportunities through a Recruitment Day where students and industry partners connect to discuss potential employment opportunities.
"The University is excited to be partnering with Microsoft to help students prepare for entry level roles in the booming datacentre industry. The Microsoft Datacentre Academy perfectly demonstrates how education and industry can work together to address critical skills shortages and open quality employment opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds," VU's Wayne Butson, Chief TAFE Officer said.
"As demand for datacentre capacity grows, so does the need for technicians with the right hands‑on skills. The Datacentre Academy at VU is about opening doors and equipping Victorians with job-ready skills and a clear pathway into high‑growth careers that will power our communities for decades to come," said John Galligan, General Manager of Corporate and External Affairs, Microsoft Australia and New Zealand said. "Our partnership with VU builds on Microsoft's ongoing commitment to local skilling, including the Datacentre Academy in Sydney, which opened last year in partnership with TAFE NSW. With critical talent shortages across the industry, providing students with practical learning and industry-aligned skills will ensure they are ready for opportunities of tomorrow."
Datacentre Academy student, Jovi Lardizabel began her IT career in the Philippines, followed by nearly two decades working in administration in Australia.
"I wanted to challenge myself and return to a career I enjoyed. When my son was growing up, I always encouraged him to follow his passion for learning and never limit himself. He's a lawyer now and when he heard about the new Datacentre Academy, he said to me, 'You should apply, Mum. You'd be good at this'. I'm not sure what the future will hold, but I know I want a career in the IT world. I want to keep learning and improving my skills. At the Datacentre Academy at VU, I feel very supported by my teacher and the environment around me. It has given me renewed confidence and a sense of direction. I'm looking forward to growing professionally and gaining more knowledge."
Student Haroon Mohammed said the interactive learning and access to Microsoft professionals makes the course exciting and engaging. "Recently we had a guest speaker from Microsoft talking about potential job opportunities. The digital world is constantly expanding, so there's a lot of growth. I hope to be part of that and work in a field that is evolving along with the needs of the sector."
