Technology initiative will support software developers and data engineers
Commonwealth Bank has unveiled its latest technology hub designed to support more than 400 software developers, cloud engineers and cyber specialists in the Melbourne CBD and help create new opportunities for Victoria’s expanding digital economy workforce.
The hub, based in the heart of Melbourne’s central business district on Collins Street, was officially opened by CBA Chief Information Officer for Technology, Brendan Hopper, and includes partnerships with Monash University and RMIT University.
Software engineering students from Monash University and RMIT who are interested in completing their integrated placements working at CBA will be provided with job placements in a range of engineering roles such as cloud, data, analytics, and software engineering.
The Collins Street hub is the second major technology centre to be opened by CBA in the last six months. In February, the bank opened a tech hub in Adelaide’s prestigious Lot Fourteen precinct in a bid to attract the best technology talent from across South Australia.
CBA has plans to open more tech hubs across Australia to tap into the technology skills in other states and territories. The bank also operates a major technology centre in South Eveleigh in Sydney, NSW.
Brendan Hopper, Chief Information Officer for Technology, and a Distinguished Engineer, said the expansion of technology roles into Melbourne underscored the bank’s more than $US1 billion a year tech investment in supporting the digitisation of the Australian economy.
“Establishing a tech hub in Melbourne puts us in a great position to tap into Victoria’s digital technology industry, which is not only internationally recognised, but incredibly robust and competitive thanks to support from the government and the education sector,” Hopper said.
“Melbourne itself is the home to Australia’s top 20 tech companies. There’s already such a vibrant digital community and well-established network of tech specialists that we want to tap into.
“The new hub is not just place for our tech people to work but a space where highly skilled and passionate engineers, analysts and developers can thrive on a culture of problem solving, networking and collaboration.
“We also believe we have one of the best early careers programs in the technology industry and we are ambitious to grow it,” Hopper said.
Professor Doron Ben-Meir, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Enterprise & Engagement) and Senior Vice President at Monash University said: “Monash University is excited to be entering into a future-focused partnership with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia to facilitate a sector-wide uplift of technology capability, talent pipeline and innovation.
“Our partnership will see CBA’s technology expertise embedded within our world-class curriculum, aligning strongly with our Impact 2030 strategy to provide rich experiences for our students and develop an enterprising and innovative mindset.
“We look forward to co-creating impactful initiatives for technology professionals that accelerate their skills, capability, and knowledge development. Together, Monash University and CBA will adopt an industry-focused approach to address the technology talent challenges facing our country,” Professor Ben-Meir said.
Dr Lawrence Cavedon, Associate Dean Data Science at RMIT University described the tie-up with CBA as an “exciting” new partnership which would offer students real-world, skill-building experiences while also supporting digital transformation through the development of future-focussed technology experiences.
“RMIT is committed to working together with industry to offer its students practical training and industry relevant curriculum. Through dedicated software engineering placements available through this CBA program, we will ensure that CBA has a pipeline to employing future job-ready graduates at the University,” Dr Cavedon said.
