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ANZ is exceeding its own goals and achieving above-average retention using a set of programs specifically targeted at supporting and developing "alternative" talent pipelines.

In 2018, ANZ had just six graduates starting careers in its technology division, says Carina Parisella, head of ANZ's technology workforce. "We looked at our pipeline of early talent and said, 'six graduates is just not enough'," she tells HR Daily.

Looking at leaders in the tech space at the time, the lack of diversity meant "it was really clear that there were people missing out", Parisella says. The observation prompted a "bold decision" from the leadership team to find and rapidly accelerate new pathways.

Now the division – which has a workforce of 12,000 people, including 6,000 permanent employees – has an "early talent" program that brings in about 500 people each year, and about half the early talent cohort is female...