Our Initiatives
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, technology careers have become synonymous with high salaries and flexible working.
While Australia is on track to meet its goal of 1.2 million people employed within the sector by 2030, the representation of Indigenous Australians within the sector remains disproportionately small. Winyama is on a mission to change that.
Why?
As one of the only Indigenous-owned and majority-operated GIS and Cloud consultancies in Australia, we have experienced firsthand the rewards this industry has to offer and are committed to sharing it with more of our Mob.
On a weekly basis, tech sector jobs pay 64 per cent more than the economy-wide average.
Tech sector jobs are more secure than other jobs. The rate of people no longer working after 8 years was 4.7 percentage points lower in tech than high paying industries, and 6.2 percentage points lower than other industries.
Tech sector workers rate their jobs as being more flexible than other industries.
*Statistics provided by Technology Council of Australia, Australia’s Tech Jobs Opportunity – Cracking the Code to Australia’s Best Jobs Report, 2022.
Indigenous representation in the tech workforce is vital for several reasons.
Firstly, Indigenous inclusion helps reduce biases by offering diverse perspectives with the addition of a cultural lens. Secondly, Indigenous Australians can be at the forefront of developing solutions that address the unique challenges faced by their own communities–ensuring data sovereignty is maintained.
Finally, there is something to be said for seeing yourself reflected in the industry. As more First Nations Australians enter tech, they in turn inspire younger generations that may not have considered it as a viable career pathway.
Our Approach
Winyama currently has two social initiatives that are helping build digital capability among Australia’s First Nations people. The best part? You can get involved!
Community Impact
About Our Indigenous Mapping Workshop Australia Program
Our Indigenous Mapping Workshop (IMW) Australia Program provides online and in-person training for Indigenous leadership, agencies, communities and individuals to use geospatial software, Earth Observation (EO) technology and other data management tools that enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to collect, host, visualise, share and manage their own data in the digital age and participate in the digital economy.
About Our Indigenous Digital Inclusion Pathway Program
Our Indigenous Digital Inclusion Pathway Program (Pathway Program) supports Perth-based Indigenous Australians to get their start in tech. Accepting applications from people from all walks of life, our Pathway Program runs over two years. Our Interns, fondly referred to as Jimbu (meaning ‘egg’ in Ngarluma traditional language) are paid over this duration. Winyama functions as the mangga ('nest') and our initiative empowers Jimbu to hatch in a supported space. Through our program, Jimbu acquire the essential skills to spread their marrirli ('wings') for sustainable employment in the geospatial and cloud technology industry.
Individual Impact
