SaaS vendor ReadyTech has expanded its footprint in Tasmania with the official opening of its Centre of Excellence to foster local technology talent by developing training and career pathways. ReadyTech's Centre of Excellence will become a hub of technology capabilities in software engineering, AI and data science, product management and cyber security, said its head of strategy and innovation, Chris Smith. Currently ReadyTech has 40 employees based in Tasmania, which accounts for eight per cent of its global team. The Centre of Excellence will help ReadyTech's expansion plans to double its workforce and to also provide opportunities for the local community in Launceston. "Over the past two decades, we've steadily grown our Tasmanian-based team, which plays a pivotal role in supporting our operations," he said. ReadyTech has also planned to partner with the University of Tasmania and TasTAFE and collaborate with industry to develop education and training programs tailored to address specific tech skills. "Through our Centre of Excellence, we'll be supporting more Tasmanians to build the skills they need to enter and advance in the tech industry with re-skilling initiatives and alternate pathways for people from diverse backgrounds," Smith said.