Exclusive: How Kinetic IT's traineeships address the tech skills shortage

In just over a year, Lisa Keogh has already made a significant impact at Kinetic IT.

Appointed as Chief People Officer in August 2024, Keogh has been spearheading one of Australia's most inclusive and forward-thinking early career pathways in the technology sector.

"It's been a big 12 months," she said. "Partly the reason why I chose to join Kinetic IT was because of the culture and the people I got to meet through the recruitment process - and it's lived up to its expectation."

With over 15 years of senior HR leadership across diverse industries, Keogh brings a strong strategic workforce focus to her role. At Kinetic IT, she leads the People and Safety teams and sits on the executive leadership group.

Her team's standout achievement has been the success of the company's cadetship and traineeship programs.

These early-career initiatives were designed to address Australia's acute tech skills shortage while creating lasting community impact.

"We've got a big focus on both the internal culture of Kinetic IT, as well as the external communities in which we operate and the customers that we work with," Keogh explained. "Being a sovereign-based organisation, we support large Australian clients, so we wanted to give people a real opportunity to start their careers."

That opportunity is already delivering impressive results. Since 2020, more than 75 trainees have joined the company, with 90% moving into full-time, permanent roles after completion. Of those, 45% are women and 44% identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

"It's a life-changing experience for many - not just a job," Keogh said. "Some have progressed into quite senior leadership roles within four years of starting the program."

At the core of this initiative is a strong commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and flexibility. "Inclusivity is built into the fabric of all these programs right from the start," Keogh said. "Our guiding principles include accessibility and diversity in how we go to market, in the providers we work with, and even in the mentoring support we offer."

She highlighted features such as culturally safe mentoring, flexible learning formats, and the removal of common barriers like lack of access to technology. The company also leverages its Reconciliation Action Plan and Accessibility Action Plan to guide the program's evolution.

Trainees get hands-on experience from the start, working in a range of real-world IT environments.

"They could spend time helping customers on a service desk, reviewing and improving processes, or solving real problems," she said.

Their training is delivered in partnership with Integrity Business College, which Keogh described as "a deep partnership that ensures nationally recognised qualifications, flexible delivery, and close collaboration between trainer, manager, and trainee."

Participants also benefit from a robust support system.

"They have a lot of support from the day they start. It begins with the recruitment process and continues with guidance from our HR and learning teams," Keogh said. "They get on-site buddy support, mentoring from former trainees, and First Nations-specific mentors and affinity groups like our Deadly Mob Crew network."

One feature that sets Kinetic IT apart is the variety and breadth of its placements. "Our trainees get to work across different customers," Keogh said. "That rotational experience means they learn to navigate different systems and team dynamics, which really accelerates their growth."

It's not just about early learning - it's a cornerstone of the company's broader talent strategy.

"These programs are a key part of our workforce plan," Keogh said. "They're a pipeline of talent that fuels the company's long-term growth. Without them, we'd face shortages at that entry point."

The programs are open to anyone interested, with a focus on inclusion and securing the right talent through community and education partners. "We open the program up to anyone that's interested," Keogh said.

"It's all about creating access and making sure people feel welcome and supported."

In regards to eligibility requirements for Kinetic IT's workforce development programs, Keogh confirmed there are no formal prerequisites.

"A keen interest in IT is the main consideration. Previous customer service experience is a bonus, but not essential," she said.

Kinetic IT has successfully welcomed trainees straight from school, including individuals as young as 16 years old. "Part of the whole intent of the program is inclusion and diversity," Keogh said.

Looking ahead, Keogh sees these programs evolving with the industry.

"We'll continue to grow and invest in these programs because it's a critical part of our workforce plan," she added. "As we grow as an organisation, that foundation will only become more important."

Her conviction is clear. "No matter what industry or where I work in the world," she said, "the biggest opportunity is to attract and retain great, diverse talent and create a culture of belonging and high performance."