Andrew Cresp
CIO
Bendigo & Adelaide Bank
FEBRUARY 2023
As the ongoing migration to the cloud continues, organisations risk faltering as they attempt to upskill IT talent and combat talent shortages. In this context, it is essential for organisations to build a robust digital talent model – leveraging new technologies to shift mindsets across the workforce.
To maintain operational efficiency, drive value, and ensure longevity, organisations must broaden their skill and opportunity lens to embrace diversity, focusing on reskilling and upskilling – beyond just the technology and engineering spheres.
This is clearly a pertinent issue for both CIOs and CISOs across Australia, with Digital Talent (Recruitment, Retention, Upskilling, etc.) ranking #6 out of thirty-three top Business Priorities recorded in Evanta’s 2022 Leadership Perspective Survey.
At one of the most popular sessions of the Melbourne CIO & CISO Executive Summit, entitled “Cloud Strategy & Governance at Bendigo: How to Upskill key IT Talent to Combat Talent Shortages,” CIOs and CISOs from within this community came together to hear from Andrew Cresp, CIO at Bendigo & Adelaide Bank.
Cresp shared key insights on how Bendigo & Adelaide Bank applied democratisation of learning through the pandemic to fast-track learning around the cloud, DevOps, and APIs, as well as how they utilised their industry-based learning (IBL) program to widen talent pathways.
Here are key insights for CIOs and CISOs aiming to effectively combat shortages in talent moving into 2023.
Why is it important for organisations to focus on reskilling and upskilling?
Cresp explains, “Technology is always evolving and so should we. The focus on reskilling and upskilling today is more important than ever. Finding good talent is hard, but you don't have to if you already have it. It’s important we share the story of our organisation and connection to community, as we find people connect strongly with it.”
“Our people are part of our transformation, and as our migration to the cloud continues, we need to continue to build the skills internally to deliver,” Cresp continues.
Cresp adds, “This isn’t just about providing learning opportunities through our partners, but providing our people with opportunities to put their new skills into practice and in return deliver more value to our customers. Not only is this transforming our business, but the careers of our people.”
How can democratisation of learning be applied to fast-track learning around the cloud, DevOps, and APIs?
“It's important to bring everyone on the journey, particularly in a big organisation where you have a group of people responsible for getting outcomes – you need everyone to be paddling in the same direction,” Cresp explains.
Cresp continues, “We know there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach – our people have varied skill sets and learning preferences.”
“We provide a diverse approach to learning, through on-demand, instructor-led training, informal learning, gamified events, and our bespoke DevOps academy, tailored to BENs tools and processes. Our focus is building a learning culture, an environment where people want to learn and where they can do that in a way that works best for them.”
“It’s not about fast-tracking learning around the cloud, DevOps and APIs – it’s about using learning to fast-track the delivery of outcomes,” he adds.
How can an IBL program be implemented to widen talent pathways?
Cresp explains, “The industry-based learning program gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an organisation before completing their degrees.”
“Our students are working in roles of the future, including cloud, DevOps, automation and APIs. Our differentiation is placing students in the most sought-after areas, not just entry-level positions. They are given the opportunity to work side by side with our leading engineers, contributing to real outcomes. Building cutting-edge patterns and tools that are saving us time and reducing our costs.”
“A benefit for us is that the students get to experience our culture and what it's like to work at Bendigo Bank, ultimately choosing the bank as their employer,” he adds.
Explore more key topics like upskilling IT talent by joining a community of like-minded peers.
Members of our Evanta communities come together several times a year to connect, exchange ideas and experiences, and validate strategies and solutions. You can share your perspective with the community via our in-person and virtual gatherings such as our Executive Summits, Town Halls, Peer Roundtables, and also through content pieces like this.
Read our 2022 Australia CIO & CISO Year in Review blog to learn more about 2022’s top sessions and topics.
Content adapted from the Melbourne CIO & CISO Executive Summt. Special thanks to Andrew Cresp and Bendigo & Adelaide Bank.
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