As a global leader in research and education, Monash University recognises that a strong institutional culture is driven by its people. Within its Cyber Risk and Resilience function, leaders sought to address digital skills gaps while strengthening diversity and inclusion across the IT workforce.
Rather than relying solely on traditional recruitment pathways, Monash partnered with WithYouWithMe (WYWM) to adopt a skills-based approach to hiring — expanding access to talent from underrepresented communities while building critical technical capability.
Working collaboratively, Monash and WYWM identified key capability gaps across cyber security, campus operations support, digital transformation and data engineering.
Roles were defined based on required skills and competencies, mapped against the SFIA framework. This ensured clarity around capability needs and created structured pathways for individuals to be trained and deployed into real roles.
Five priority positions were identified across the IT team.
Monash engaged WYWM’s talent pools to identify high-potential candidates aligned to the defined skill requirements. A Job Accelerator event introduced candidates to Monash’s mission, culture and role expectations.
Following culture-fit interviews, selected individuals commenced targeted training tailored to Monash’s requirements.
WYWM delivered customised training programs to selected candidates, with all candidates delivering final Capstone presentations to Monash University as practical demonstration of their newfound competency.
Within 6 months of the Job Accelerator event, WYWM had located, trained and placed candidates into 4 out of 5 available roles, all of whom have since successfully integrated into Monash University’s IT team. The final role is set to be filled by mid 2023.
For the candidates who’ve joined Monash University, securing a role with one of the world’s leading education and research institutions has already had a profound impact on both their careers and their lives.
Breaking into cyber: Tai Kingi’s journey at Monash University
Meet Tai Kingi, a graduate of the WithYouWithMe cyber program who is now a Cyber Analyst at Monash University. In this short video, Tai shares why he chose cyber security, what the journey was like through alternative training pathways, and how he’s thriving in his role today.
Breaking barriers: Sharon’s path to success at Monash University
“I was diagnosed recently with ADHD which helped me to understand some of the challenges I’ve faced through my career. I had always wanted to get into tech but as a single parent I didn’t have the flexibility to be able to attend formal classes at TAFE or uni. And then I came across WithYouWithMe."
All of the things that had previously held me back – like resumes and cover letters – weren’t needed. The team was warm and genuinely helpful. The aptitude and skills assessments were spot on and helped match me to a great entry-level Service Desk Analyst role.
Sharon Lewis, Associate Analyst (Operations Support),
Monash University
"After attending a Job Accelerator event for Monash University, I was able to find an even better opportunity and I still can’t believe I landed my dream job – an Associate Analyst (Operations Support) at Monash University.
This process has changed my life completely. I gained training, support, encouragement and a sense of value and community. I was able to pivot into tech. I would never have been able to do this without the free training and flexibility provided by WYWM in their training and Monash University in their inclusive approach to employment,” said Sharon.
Following the success of Monash University engaging WYWM to find, train and hire diverse talent for their IT teams, the university is already looking to expand the number of roles available and broaden their impact on the communities WYWM supports.
“Monash University is excited to welcome our first round of individuals from the WYWM program to our IT team – these are unique, talented individuals whose value to our team is instantly recognisable. We have had nothing but positive feedback from the individuals joining the team as well as the hiring managers. We’re committed to continue the partnership with WYWM and spruik the benefits of focusing on people’s skills and potential over experience, making jobs more accessible to those that are typically underrepresented in the IT sector.”
Dan Maslin, Group Chief Information Security Officer,
Monash University
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