Combatting The Digital Divide
The digital divide refers to people who do not have reliable access to devices, connectivity, and lack digital literacy skills. 1 in 4 Australians are digitally excluded, which means they are not afforded the same opportunities as those who are able to connect to the digital world.
The ramifications of digital exclusion are far–reaching. It makes it difficult for Australians to connect with their community and engage in job seeking and impacts school students’ academic outcomes.
What is a National Device Bank?
In collaboration with our partners, WorkVentures aims to implement an exciting new piece of social infrastructure – a National Device Bank of donated and refurbished laptops, tablets and mobiles. City of Sydney Council is a sponsor of the National Device Bank Feasibility Study, providing a grant to test its feasibility in Sydney.
Over a five-year period, the Australian public and corporate sector will refresh ten million devices, with many companies utilising IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) services. This ultimately diverts devices into international markets for profit. Additionally, devices may be recycled or sent to landfill.
The National Device Bank model would encourage Australian companies and government agencies to donate their technology so that the devices can be refurbished and redistributed for free to people who are digitally excluded.
To assist with our promotion of a National Device Bank, WorkVentures has partnered with MediaCast to create a media release. Please see media release here.
How will a National Device Bank Operate?
Donor Organisation
- Identifies devices at end-of-use
- Selects service provider for device collection and sanitisation*
- Advises provider/WorkVentures of percentage or volume to be donated
- WorkVentures arranges collection (FOC to donor)
- Receives reporting regarding eWaste avoided, social benefits created, program destination and case study
WorkVentures
- One device commercially remarked to fund program – One device refurbished and donated via the National Device Bank
- Windows image applied with core base software requirements
- Recipient/charity identified, and device delivered with supporting digital support documents
- Ongoing support, digital literacy education, and connectivity provided to recipients.
* WorkVentures can provide certified data erasure and device sanitisation services in the absence of an existing arrangement.
Ways to Support the National Device Bank
What is the Device Donation Program?
Bridge the digital divide
by helping vulnerable Australians to become digitally connected
Support a circular economy
by extending the life cycle of your technology and reducing the demand for new materials
Improve ESG outcomes
by reducing e-waste and minimising the external environmental impact of your supply chain operations
Ongoing Impact Measurement
Share a positive social impact for your brand by adding sustainable solutions to your asset strategies
Ensuring Access to Reliable Devices for All Australians
Advocating for a National Device Bank
To promote the need for a National Device Bank, WorkVentures’ CEO, Caroline McDaid, spoke with Channel 10 about the critical role digital inclusion plays in the lives of school students. Highlighting our partnership with The Smith Family’s “Learning for Life” Program, Caroline emphasised how access to technology is key to empowering young Australians to reach their full potential in education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ideal devices are laptops, tablets and mobile phones. This gives recipients the best options for flexible use and connectivity.
Our preferred minimum specifications for laptop donations are:
- 5th generation i5 technology or above
- Undamaged and in usable condition
- Power supply included
As for quantity, there is no minimum – every little bit helps!
Yes, we can find homes for other end-user devices like desktops and monitors. If, at the time of donation, there is no immediate need for them within the NDB network, we will work with you to on-sell them and use the funds to support the National Device Bank.
Relationships with ITAD (IT Asset Disposition Partners) are important because organisations need to be able to trust that their data is erased securely, and devices are disposed of properly. So, if you already have an arrangement in place for that, then simply direct your ITAD partner to divert devices to WorkVentures once the data is erased.
Yes, we do. We use the leading industry standard Data Erasure software called Blancco and provide certificates and reporting for all devices we process. We are the trusted provider for these services to many large and small businesses.
There are already lessors in Australia who commit to divert a % of returned devices into Social Impact programs. If yours doesn’t, then they would probably still be open to a request from you to do so.
Firstly, congratulations on already participating in improving Digital Inclusion! The National Device Bank provides a full-service experience for recipients including relicensed equipment, digital literacy training and tech support, which a lot of NFPs and Charities do not have the capacity to provide. We are happy to work with your preferred charity to see if your donated devices could support them via the National Device Bank.
Yes. If we performed data erasure services, you will receive a full condition report for all items along with a Certificate of Data Erasure. We also provide ESG reporting that records the positive Environmental and Social
What Our Partners Say about us
Anglicare NQ partnered with WorkVentures for our cyber security journey. The process was productive, comprehensive and extremely informative. The affordability of the program takes into account the budget restraints faced by NGOs. We look forward to continuing the journey.
KPMG collaborated with WorkVentures for Laptops for Lifelong Learning campaign to provide 178 high school students with refurbished laptops and technical support. WorkVentures provided digital skills development to address students' digital literacy needs. We hope to continue our impactful relationship with WorkVentures.
The Smith Family collaborated with WorkVentures for laptop delivery and technical support to help students access technology. WorkVentures understood our needs and the challenges faced by families. Their efficient processes enabled us to help thousands of students access technology, while we focused on helping families.
WorkVentures is one of Westpac’s longest partners in the technology space. They have experience and passion and are a trusted partner for device donations and digital inclusion initiatives.
WorkVentures' performance is excellent. They deliver quality, reliable IT solutions. As our needs evolve, I am confident WorkVentures will continue to develop new solutions that work for us.
We value partnerships with organisations that share similar values and beliefs to ours, and I thank you for your work to build a solid partnership that has resulted in so many of our GO Scholars being supported through affordable technology.
Thank you very much for the great partnership we have developed at WorkVentures.
We have really valued the support that WorkVentures has given us.
Our Partners
