CBA teams up with TAFE and Queensland unis to launch Brisbane tech hub

The Commonwealth Bank has launched its third technology hub around Australia this year, teaming up with Queensland educators to set up shop in Brisbane’s CBD.

CBA has partnered with The University of Queensland (UQ), Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and TAFE Queensland, to offer students and graduates the chance to join CBA’s Tech Associates and Graduate programs.

The bank launched similar hubs in Adelaide in February and Melbourne in July.

Brendan Hopper, CBA’s chief information officer for technology said the hub will also create new employment opportunities for engineers, cyber specialists and data scientists, adding 100 jobs. The bank is looking to recruit 1,000 engineers in 2022.

“We’re excited about this next phase of our plan to build tech hubs outside our head office in Sydney, to allow people to work from wherever they want but to still go into the hubs to drive connection, collaboration and innovation to engineer secure data-driven products for our customers,” he said.

“The COVID pandemic saw many of our technology professionals choose to relocate to Queensland to pursue a change of lifestyle. By having the tech hub in Brisbane, our people based there will still have access to major technology employers like CBA and can make an impact in their work without having to relocate interstate.”

Hopper said that with the Olympic Games in Brisbane in 2032, the bank anticipates further investment in technology along with more people moving there

The partnerships with UQ, QUT and TAFE Queensland, allow CBA to develop a local talent pipeline, with a focus on computer science, engineering, data science and cyber security.

TAFE Queensland Director of Faculty Creative Arts and Digital Design Jackie French, said the partnership would offer graduates a pathway into technology careers closer to home.

“Queensland already has a vibrant digital community with a well-established pipeline of graduates,” she said.

“As the state’s largest training provider, we’re delighted to partner with CBA to supply skilled and job-ready information technology, cyber security, website and software developer graduates for the placements this program will deliver.”