Innovation and entrepreneurship
The Federation University Technology Parks are an outstanding example of the types of economic outcomes able to be achieved through Innovation Precincts located in partnership with universities and the private sector.
Having established the first Technology Park in 1995, Federation University has the runs on the board when it comes to fostering partnerships with business, researchers and governments.
The Technology Parks across the three current sites host 59 businesses and agencies who collectively employ in excess of 2,200 FTE positions and contributes in excess of $700 million in annual economic activity (direct/flow on).
The spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship at Federation University Technology Parks has enabled techno-driven businesses to thrive and prosper in a dynamic and supportive environment.
Our fast evolving precincts are designed to encourage and support the development of both emerging and existing technology oriented enterprises.
Background
Federation University operates 5 Technology Parks – Mt Helen, Central Ballarat, Gippsland Enterprise Centre, Morwell Innovation Centre and Wimmera
The Technology Parks provide outstanding infrastructure, but more importantly partners with business to meet the challenge of ensuring appropriately skilled workforce is available as businesses grow. Tech Parks tenants are able to partner with the University in three core domains:
- Ongoing workforce development of staff through access to our dual sector university;
- Vocational placement programs enabling the creation of a skilled labor pool for future employment requirements; and
- Long term research partnerships.
The principal focus of the Federation University Technology Parks is the information and communication technologies industry sector, with IBM having been operating since 1995.
Since 1995 our Tech Parks have grown, with 59 enterprises including IBM, Ernst & Young, Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority, WIN Network, Serco, Concentrix, Primary Health Care, Fiona Elsey Cancer Research, Grampians Health and Southern Cross Austereo.
The Park’s ideal locations provide great lifestyle opportunities as well as having the convenience of being close to Melbourne and major regional cities.
| Employment (FTE) | Household income ($ million) | Industry value added ($ million) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total impact Australia | 4,712 | 415.7 | 700.5 |
| Total impact Victoria | 4,435 | 380.8 | 628.8 |
| Total impact Ballarat Technology Park region | 3,787 | 294.1 | 478.8 |
| Total impact Ballarat LGA | 3,766 | 293.0 | 476.1 |
There are more than 2,200 full-time jobs hosted by the two Ballarat Federation University Technology Parks, equal to almost five percent of the total full-time employment in the City of Ballarat.
Most importantly the Tech Park has ensured that the regional ICT requirements of the economy are able to be fully met within the capability generated by the Tech Parks. Economic analysis has shown that ICT is a critical enabler that underpins innovation and transformation of other sectors of the economy.
In Gippsland the University has partnered with the Victorian government to establish the Federation University Technology Parks model in Morwell as part of the economic transition of the region. The $17 million project established new technical capability in the region, hosts 186 EFT positions as part of stage 1, and will in the medium term seek to create similar economic activity and capability as has been achieved across the Ballarat sites.