Matthew Baumgartner

It was a pleasure to speak with Rosalyn Page from CRN Australia about how Australia’s productivity ambitions are increasingly tied to digital transformation, yet the shortage of digital skills is holding businesses back.   The article discusses the pivotal role partners play, with clients turning to them for strategic planning, governance and workforce training. The rise of agentic AI is prompting clients to seek partners that can help embed AI into operations, deliver optimal experiences and enable more differentiated products and services.   This is a time of incredible change and transformation, and it presents a huge opportunity for all organisations. But it’s not just technical skills that will shape the future. Human-centred capabilities like critical thinking and business skills will be essential to making AI work for people and productivity.   Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gKsTpA85

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I had the opportunity to moderate a fireside chat with Louise Betteridge on Digital Directions: Tech Trends & Insights, organised by ACS (Australian Computer Society). Big thanks to everyone who leaned in with open, candid questions and reflections. The dialogue was real, and it was clear to us all that there’s more to do as a community. What stood out: - Skills‑first hiring: Managers want demonstrable capability. The standouts blend technical depth with communication, leadership, and problem-solving. - Growth hotspots: AI-enabled productivity, data roles, and cybersecurity are driving demand. - Melbourne’s edge: Pragmatic, applied outcomes, strong in fintech compliance and clinical‑grade data. - Talent gaps: Software development, cloud engineering, data, cyber, and AI/ML, plus the human skills. - Talent market shifts: Flexibility paired with intentional in‑person moments; culture, learning pathways, and purpose win. Thanks to Kelsey, Lance, Lhamo, for organising the event, and to everyone who joined. Look forward to continuing the conversation, take action, and track the impact. #MelbourneTech #Victoria #DigitalDirections #SkillsFirst #CyberSecurity #DataAndAI #TechCareers #HigherEducation #Microsoft

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NZ Tech Hiring – July 2025 A quick pulse check for anyone recruiting in the current climate. 📉 Perm hiring remains slow across a lot of the tech space — particularly mid-senior delivery, engineering and leadership roles. Most businesses are being cautious, prioritising BAU over transformation unless it's tied to revenue, risk or compliance. 🛠️ Contracting is ticking along, especially in areas like cloud, cyber, data, and large regulatory programmes. We're seeing demand for flexible resources, often scoped to shorter terms. 📊 The good news? There’s solid talent on the market. Some high-calibre PMs, developers, BAs and architects are open to work following restructures and programme wrap-ups. These aren’t the “active candidates” from job boards — these are proven operators who are open to the right opportunity. 🎯 But that’s the catch: they’re being selective. People are looking for clarity — hybrid expectations, meaningful work, and engaged leadership. The days of vague briefs and unclear pipelines won’t cut it. 🔍 From a recruiter’s view, the market is: Candidate-rich but opportunity-lean Fast-moving in contracting Quietly competitive for top-tier talent If you're hiring and not seeing results, it may be time to reassess how the role is positioned, or how you're approaching the market. Always happy to talk through what we're seeing firsthand. #techrecruitment #nztech #contractingnz #digitalhiring #talentmarket #techjobsnz #marketinsights

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According to the 🇦🇺 Department of Industry and Science, Australia is projected to create up to 200,000 AI-related jobs by 2030. And AI has the potential to contribute between $170 billion and $600 billion to Australia's GDP. This is a great opportunity for Australia to lead global innovation, and to see economic growth. However, there is a critical skills gap threatening this potential. This week Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Code for Schools, the not-for-profit, EdTech provider, have announced a partnership to create the first locally developed, co-designed AI education program in Australia that will be available to all K-12 students and teachers across the country’s public, independent and Catholic schools, plus parents and carers. I am so proud of this initiative. Louise Stigwood Megan Woff Read more here https://lnkd.in/gQHW4vnj

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