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NZTech Inform – Accessing Future Work Opportunities
Kia ora Readers,
One evening last week, I watched my nine year old daughter complete a maths challenge in Mathletics (a great local EdTech success story), before switching to the Duolingo app for her daily Spanish lesson. While she was doing this, I was contemplating the numerous opportunities available to her. At the same time, I wondered how difficult it is for children who don’t have the same access and what can be done to help change this.
The Tech Leaders community, part of the Tech Alliance, have also identified the need to help students who may not have the best access to opportunities. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, they have created an event for children, to help prepare them for the future of work. The event will be held in Whakatane, this May, during Techweek. Students, educators and whanau from 15 regional schools across the Eastern Bay of Plenty will be transported directly to the event. There they will explore a range of future work opportunities and the skills needed for a successful future.
This is an opportunity to access otherwise untapped future talent, showcase some of our country’s best technologies and engage with children and help them achieve their potential. The event will open with an inspirational key note. This will be followed by a ‘skill showcase’, where industry will showcase the key skills needed in each vocational pathway.
Designed as a low cost prototype, once Tech Leaders deliver this event in the Eastern Bay, they hope to repeat it in other regions throughout New Zealand. Tech Leaders are keen to engage with individuals and corporations that might be interested in helping. If you would like to know more, please email the Tech Leaders Chair, David Kennedy.
Also working on issues relating to the future of work is the Digital Skills Forum. This collaboration between key Government agencies and tech sector bodies is hosting the Digital Skills Hui, a one day event on 27 March in Wellington to help turn recommendations from the Digital Skills research report into actions. If you would like to be involved, please register your interest here.
Whether the future of work is your thing, or AI, rockets, mental health or clean rivers, there will be something for everyone at Techweek this May. Last year, there were 540 events in 24 towns. What will 2019 look like? I don’t know yet, but I do know that now is the time to submit your event idea if you would like to host it during Techweek. Don’t miss out on being part of the fun that is our annual festival of innovation that’s good for the world.
Have a great week.
Nga mihi
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech
CONNECT
Join the Tech Alliance, Digital Identity NZ and Blockchain New Zealand at Leveraging Blockchain for your Digital Identity on 14 March in Wellington and 21 March in Auckland.
Canterbury Tech meets tomorrow to discuss design thinking. Join NZSA on 12 March in Auckland and join the American Chamber of Commerce on 13 March in Auckland.
Save the date for the next Tech Alliance event series on 9 April in Christchurch, 10 April in Wellington and 11 April in Auckland. Registrations for How the Future of AgriTech and BioTech will be enabled by IoT, opening soon.
PROMOTE
Attend the 2019 Hi-Tech Awards finalists announcement in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch on 27 March. Secure your tickets to the Gala Dinner on 24 May in Auckland, during Techweek19.
Attend the Changing Face of Government Procurement on 8 April in Auckland and 9 April in Wellington. Stay informed about BlockchainNZ and subscribe for regular updates.
Register for the New Zealand Digital Skills Hui on 27 March in Wellington. Register for MobileTECH 2019, 3-4 April in Rotorua. Attend the ITU Telecom World 2019 Conference in Budapest, 9-12 September.
ADVANCE
BioTechNZ’s Zahra Champion explains why New Zealand urgently needs a BioTech strategy. Be part of Scale-Up New Zealand, a free online platform for New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem.
Create connections and support the growth of women in tech. Apply for TechWomen’s 2019 Mentoring Circles programmein Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Registrations for mentors and mentees close 15 March.
The Edmund Hillary Fellowship are currently accepting applications. Applications for Lightning Lab Tourism close 1 April. Submissions on the Copyright Act Review close 5 April. Techweek19 submissions close 8 April.
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