Balance Internet teams up with Australia’s tech sector to launch ‘Skill Finder’

MELBOURNE, Australia — October 21, 2020 Balance Internet has teamed up with the Australian technology sector to launch Skill Finder, a world-first, free digital micro-skills marketplace available to all Australians, including 3.5m JobKeepers and 1.5m JobSeekers.

Skill Finder was launched on the 15th of October, click-ready to enhance the skills and competence of the Australian workforce, equipping individuals with in-demand, immediately applicable digital micro-skills from leading technology companies, for free. Since launch, over 1,500 Australians have already used the marketplace to click through to find a course.

Skill Finder was created after the Minister for Industry, Science, and Technology, The Hon. Karen Andrews, asked Australia’s technology sector to help with the nation’s post-COVID economic recovery. 

The idea for Skill Finder was born out of a hackathon that Balance Internet, a leading Australian open source solutions provider, hosted a few months ago. Balance Internet collaborated with the broader technology sector to make the idea a reality.

These skill training and digital enablement opportunities are provided by a public-spirited collaboration of leading technology companies operating in the Australian market, and the website is provided and delivered as an MVP Proof of Concept (POC).

The Skill Finder (POC) site has been developed free-of-charge by Balance Internet. Adobe Magento Commerce, Adobe Analytics and AWS hosting services have also been provided at no fee. It is a real tech for good project, based upon the unprecedented levels of collaboration and cooperation in the tech sector in Australia.

Hundreds of online courses and micro-skills are available on Skill Finder, spanning 12 categories and 144 sub-categories across digital design, coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning, analytics, cloud computing, accounting and business tools, and content marketing. Australian tech leaders Atlassian, Canva, MYOB and Xero have all contributed free courses and micro-skills as has Adobe, AWS, Google, IBM, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Salesforce and Twitter.

James Horne, Managing Director of Balance Internet said, "The idea for Skill Finder was born out of a hackathon we hosted only months ago. It's incredible to think our company, operating out of extended lock-down in Melbourne, has been able to corral the calibre of Australian and global technology companies involved to deliver on the Skill Finder concept. We believe that 10 per cent or more of Australia's total workforce could benefit right now from this initiative."

James Horne further said, "We hope that Skill Finder will help the Australian workforce to fill the gaps that exist in ICT roles, improving digital skills and literacy for as many individuals working with digital technologies as possible. The adoption of digital technology to transform services and businesses plays a critical role in supporting Australia's COVID-19 economic recovery."

"We wanted to bring a service of value to Australians. We consider ourselves very fortunate that our sector hasn't been as affected as much as others, so we wanted to do what we could to help. Our team has thrived working on such a public-spirited initiative."

"Our involvement in the Skill Finder initiative is well aligned with Balance Internet’s core business values; boosting the capability of individuals countrywide to increase uptake of digital technology for their own career progression, and Australia's economic growth as a whole." 

Australians can access hundreds of free courses at www.skillfinder.com.au

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For all media or interview enquiries please contact James Horne, Balance Internet

james@balanceinternet.com.au / (+61) 0425 800 773

To view the Adobe site launch media release visit: https://www.balanceinternet.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Skill-Finder-Press-Release_15Oct_Adobe.pdf 

View Skill Finder video, https://youtu.be/1bKx1o8eLRs

View ‘Introducing Skill Finder’ blog

https://www.balanceinternet.com.au/news/introducing-skill-finder/

View ‘Could upskilling be the key to your economic future?’ https://www.ausbiz.com.au/media/could-upskilling-be-the-key-to-your-economic-future?videoId=4904§ionId=1890

About Balance Internet

Balance Internet is an Australian company and experts in digital ecommerce. We partner with some of Asia Pacific’s leading brands, government agencies, educational institutions and corporations to deliver innovative and transformative digital experiences. For more information visit www.balanceinternet.com.au

About Skill Finder

Skill Finder is committed to connecting the Australian workforce, small and medium businesses to new learning opportunities. A centralised marketplace, Skill Finder is powered by the world’s top technology platforms and software providers. With hundreds of online courses, the platform provides an opportunity for every Australian to up-level their knowledge with transferable and useful micro- skills, so they are prepared for an unpredictable future where agility and adaptability is key. For more information visit www.skillfinder.com.au