Media releases

The IBM/Federation University 25-year partnership contributed $629 million in economic value to the Victorian economy between 2018-2019, a report released today reveals.

Commissioned jointly by IBM and the University to celebrate the quarter-century, the Western Research Institute report shows Ballarat Technology Park underpins 4435 jobs in the state, based on the same data period, and nearly 9 per cent of jobs in the Ballarat local government area.

The economic impact report finds during 2018-19, the Park is responsible for $381 million in household income in Victoria, and that IBM’s presence there delivers $124 million to the state’s gross product plus 711 jobs and $62 million in household income.

The report notes a 173 per cent increase to the Park’s economic contribution since 2009.

The Hon Jaala Pulford, Victorian Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, and Minister for Small Business, received the report at a ceremony at Ballarat Technology Park this afternoon.

IBM Australia’s P-TECH program also runs out of the Ballarat Technology Park in collaboration with Federation College, introducing high school students to IT.

The company intends to hire up to 100 more people in Ballarat in the coming year.

Quotes attributable to Katrina Troughton, Managing Director, IBM Australia & New Zealand.

“The success of our presence at the Ballarat Technology Park proves the value that corporations like IBM can gain, and give, from opening major facilities in regional Australia.”

“The partnership has created one of Australia’s most prestigious IT degrees – the Bachelor of IT (Professional Practice) – the establishment of the Earn as You Learn Scholarship for students, and providing the opportunity for more than 360 local and international students to graduate from the program, since 2001, with the future skills required to be successful in a digital economy.”

Quotes attributable to Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley

“We are incredibly proud of the positive impact that the University partnerships have created here in Ballarat at the Technology Park. Our collaboration with IBM has seen more than 300 of 400 graduates of IT courses run by the University going on to work with IBM with many former students still employed there today. In fact, just a week ago this partnership was recognised with an Engagement Australia Excellence Award for Student Engagement.”

“Federation University’s collaboration with IBM, which has secured hundreds of jobs with the technology giant for Fed Uni students, highlights the transformative impact that Australia’s premier regional university can achieve in partnership with leading edge businesses such as IBM and a dynamic community.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford

“Congratulations to IBM and Federation University – it’s wonderful to see how the Ballarat Technology Park has evolved and how it continues to drive innovation and new opportunities for the region and the state.” 

“Innovative and collaborative partnerships like this one are central to ensuring Victoria’s place in the global digital economy – generating high-skill, high-value jobs and growth for all Victorians.”