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The Australian federal government continues to support RMIT’s program, offering a free Diploma of Information Technology for students already working in Victoria.
RMIT University has announced that it will again offer a free Diploma of Information Technology to women and gender-diverse people in 2025.
The Australian government-supported course will be open to students in paid employment throughout regional Victoria and Melbourne.
The Earn and Learn program kicked off in 2024 with the backing of the government’s Women in STEM Cadetships and Advanced Apprenticeships Program. The program is designed to help women build careers in STEM fields and increase the number of women with STEM qualifications in the workforce.
Vered Adler, a 2024 graduate who currently works with cyber security and IT third parties on behalf of a government agency, said she was surprised by the opportunities in IT.
“What has surprised me is that IT is so varied,” Adler said.
“When I was in high school and university, I thought computer science represented programming and coding – and I never thought that would be for me. IT has transformed into much more, from how to design products people will find useful to networking between devices and the internet.”
According to Adler, the diploma has given her “the knowledge and confidence to negotiate with them; they can no longer pull the wool over my eyes”.
“I have found the online content so engaging. I never thought I’d be excited about getting up at 8am on a Saturday to go to my computer and complete my lab. The teachers ensure they’re always available to bounce ideas. They motivate us and want to see us excel in this course that encourages women to participate in the male-dominated IT industry.
“Many of the women in my class are juggling a lot of responsibilities, including working full-time and caring for families. I’m so impressed in their tenacity in prioritising their own self-development and learning as this opportunity came along,” she said.
Mish Eastman, deputy vice-chancellor of vocational education and vice president, is proud of the program.
“These programs are vital for regional students, particularly women,” Eastman said.
“We’re committed to practical solutions that empower working women and address Victoria’s need for skilled workers across metropolitan and regional areas.”
Prospective students should contact [email protected] for more information.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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