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NZTech Inform – Attracting and inspiring the best tech talent
Kia ora Readers,
Last week, I was chatting with the team at LookSee Tech that attracted more than 48,000 applications for 100 tech roles when the campaign was run 18 months ago. This year, as employers start offering interviews, LookSee Tech will host monthly cohorts. Additionally, rather than pay for candidates flights, applicants will need to make their own travel arrangements. You may be forgiven for thinking this will create a barrier. However, to paraphrase the late Sir Paul Callaghan, it turns out that, “New Zealand is a place that tech talent wants to live.”
I was pleasantly surprised to see that within a few weeks of marketing, we already have 2,525 pre-screened profiles available. With the average applicant age of 37 years, tech talent aspiring to live in New Zealand is very experienced. The candidates are also from all around the world including Argentina, Brazil, India, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States of America. While many have skills in java, python and .Net, there are also 11 with skills in deep learning and 38 with machine learning. If you are searching for talent, I suggest you contact Looksee Tech.
It is encouraging that we can attract some of the best talent in the world to New Zealand. However, in the long term, we need to build home grown talent, or risk being at the mercy of global geo-political changes. It is fantastic to see so many events during Techweek19 targeted at inspiring the next generation. This year, Techweek has event playlists, so you can easily find related events. The playlist for students, Techweek19 School Series, already has 40 events scheduled around New Zealand.
Another awesome NZTech initiative is ShadowTech. This is a day when year 9-11 girls are partnered with mentors to shadow them and experience what it is like to work in a tech related career. We need more tech professionals from across the country to help inspire girls to consider careers in the tech sector. If you’re not already involved, please consider signing up to be a ShadowTech 2019 mentor. Learn more about what’s involved and read feedback from previous mentors.
Have a great week.
Ngā mihi
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech
CONNECT
Join NZSA on 14 May in Auckland and Canterbury Tech on 20 May. Attend the official Techweek19 launch event on 20 May or join the live webcast.
With hundreds of events across the country during Techweek19, we’re making it easier to find what matters to you. Check out the event playlists and plan your week.
Join EdTechNZ and TechWomen on 13 June in Wellington, 20 June in Auckland and 26 June in Christchurch for a valuable discussion on how to achieve diversity in tech.
PROMOTE
Don’t forget, time is running out to sign up as ShadowTech 2019 mentor. We need more tech professionals throughout New Zealand to inspire girls to consider tech careers. Everything you need to know is here.
Attend the Fulbright Forum on 22 May in Auckland for a discussion on the role of Maori women in marine science and robotics in healthcare. Also, the Emerging Tech in Health Symposium 2019.
Attend LandWISE 2019: Rethinking Best Practice during Techweek19. Join the Primary Industries New Zealand Summit and Awards, 1–2 July and Identity Conference 2019 – Identity as taonga: now and in the future, 26–27 August, both in Wellington.
ADVANCE
Attend the EU-New Zealand free trade agreement Chief Negotiators Talks on 15 May in Wellington. Entries for the 2019 AmCham-DHL Express Success and Innovation Awards close 31 May.
The New Zealand Spatial Excellence Awards (NZSEA) is now accepting entries. The awards recognise geospatial excellence and celebrates examples of outstanding innovation in the ecosystem.
Attend Automation for Business on 23 May in Auckland. The New Zealand Esri User Conference is 12–14 August in Auckland. The Canterbury Tech Summit is 12 September. The 2019 NZ Cyber Security Summit is 15 October in Wellington.
Have you joined the free online platform Scale-Up New Zealand?
