Vic IT centre to create 300 jobs

THE Victorian Government is doing its best to brave the onset of an economic slowdown by teaming up with the University of Ballarat to build a new $10.8 million technology centre that is expected to bring 300 new jobs to the region.

The project, which is being funded with a $5.8 million investment from the University of Ballarat and $5 million from the Victorian Government, will set up an IT services centre that will create the new jobs in areas such as software application development, ICT support and consulting for IBM's global operations.

An IBM spokesman said customer demand would dictate the number of new employees recruited to each job category.

IBM said most of the new jobs would be filled by graduates from the company's Earn As You Learn program -- a collaborative project with the University of Ballarat that provides employment opportunities for students during study and after graduation.

The program produces 25 graduates a year. The other staff recruits will be from the University's IT and science faculties.

The additional positions will be phased in over the next five years, taking IBM's total number of employees in Ballarat to 1117.

Construction of the 3500sqm IT services centre will begin soon and is expected to be completed by the new year, IBM said.