The agreement, announced on Thursday is designed not only to support local job creation, but also provide new career pathways for students and accelerate the development of digital skills in regional NSW.

The centrepiece of the partnership is the proposed creation of a IBM Client Innovation Centre (CIC) with its hub based in Bathurst.

Once operational the CIC aims to employ in excess of 300 professionals and support IBM demand across Australia delivering technical expertise and hot skills in areas such as data science, cyber-security, Al and hybrid cloud.

The partnership will also strengthen the university's applied research capability, while IBM will assist in the co-creation of courses, focused on the intersection of technology and business transformation for innovation.

NSW Deputy Premier, and Member for Bathurst, Paul Toole described the partnership as significant for the region's future.

"There is no doubt, when we look at a company like IBM, it's one of those names well known around the world, and soon it will have a presence right here at CSU in Bathurst."

He said the building of the regional innovation centre was exciting, and something which would take Bathurst "to a whole new level."

"We are all living in a digital age," he said.

"I think Covid probably showed us more than ever people don't have to do things in the city.

"Bringing IBM to Bathurst is going to provide the Central West with so many opportunities, and for the people who live here, it now also brings new skills to our community.

"We want to grow those digital skills and grow those technical capabilities in Regional NSW.

"The government has a vision for economies of the future, and this announcement today is about delivering that.

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"That's what is important when I talk about a regional innovation centre.... its sounds like a great name, but what does it really mean underneath that?

"It means jobs, it means bringing more businesses here to the city of Bathurst and also means a future for our area."

He said it was important to consider the synergies.

"Here at CSU, there are opportunities in the future for IT courses. TAFE is also just across the road.

"Last year, cyber security was announced up at spatial services as well as a data centre that's coming to Bathurst. In many respects were going to have our own mini Silicon Valley. Who knows what this could look like into the future, that is why this is so exciting."

As part of yesterday's news, Mr Toole also announced a announced a $2.7 million dollar grant towards the regional innovation centre, from the State Government's Regional Jobs Creation Program.

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