Quick ITP update and upcoming events
I met recently with digital minister Hon David Clark to talk through many of the challenges facing the digital and tech sector, including the skills pathway work we're undertaking as part of the Transformation Plan. It was a good discussion and will lead to some good work.
Also, don't forget, nominations are open for the NZ Excellence in IT Awards currently! The EXes unashamedly celebrate the people and teams who make tech work in our sector. Through these awards, we aim to find the people that really are making a difference rather than just the company they work for. But we need your help finding them!
Nominations also open for ITP Branch Committees today, and I hope you're registered for our update event in a few weeks - look forward to seeing you there!
Meeting with Hon David Clark
I recently met formally with new digital-everything minister Hon David Clark to talk through a range of issues around digital and tech. This included the new Digital Strategy being put together, some procurement issues, digital identity, inclusion and more.
Of particular interest to the minister was the procurement Rule 16 (and exemptions), which essentially empowers government agencies to apply a weighting in procurement based on the impact providers have on the local industry. This particularly looks at New Zealand owned businesses, and especially Māori and Pasifika businesses.
It's pretty clear that many government agencies don't understand the impact of Rule 16 and its exceptions, and we'll be supporting our colleagues at NZRise as they embark on a bit of an educational campaign around it, with support from the minister.
A topic I was primarily focused on was skills, in a broad context. We had a good discussion about the skills work being undertaken currently as part of the Digital Industry Transformation Plan - which will reshape some of the skills pathways in our sector.
We also talked at length about the structural constraints in Government, and the impact this has. For example, the nature of Government is such that the Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) doesn't really have a strong enough mandate to set strong standards across the public sector when it comes to digital tech, and the consequence is that he can't have an assurance that agencies are applying best current practice across government.
This impacts the sector in things like skills, where it's difficult for Government to adopt, as a whole, a particular "best practice" approach to skills development and recognition.
All in all, I found the meeting refreshing. The Minister had a good grasp on the issues and was committed to making changes that would have good outcomes for New Zealand - even if they were a bit tricky.
ITP advocates on behalf of the tech profession so if any member has any issue they think needs to be escalated, do drop me a note. We look at policy and implications for the full sector, so can't take on issues for individual people or companies, but certainly can advocate where policies or other issues are causing significant problems.
Alongside the other tech bodies, we'll be meeting with the Minister quarterly to progress some of these issues - I'll keep you in the loop after each one.
NZ Excellence in IT Awards - nominations open
Nominations are open for the NZ Excellence in IT Awards!
The EXes are sector-wide awards recognising the individuals and teams who have truly excelled in our industry. While other awards focus on companies and vendors, the Excellence in IT Awards exclusively celebrates our people.
The categories are:
- Project Excellence Award
- Excellence in Software
- Excellence in Digital Health
- Excellence in Govtech
- Gerard MacManus Award for Excellence in IT Education
- Excellence in Inclusion
- Excellence in People Leadership
- Excellence in Tech Communications
- Young IT Professional of the Year
- New Zealand IT Professional of the Year
More details about each category
We need you to help us find those making a difference in our industry. They could be from your team, colleagues, and even self-nominations are fine :).
Find out more about the Awards
Join an ITP Branch Committee
Want to contribute to your profession in your area? ITP's network of branch committees are an excellent way to give back to the community.
We're about to kick off the election process for our nationwide Branch Committees and our National Board - heaps of opportunities to get involved!
Our Branch Committees are the lifeblood of ITP in each city across New Zealand, and coordinate local activities, ensure a strong local voice and so much more. Our National Board nominations open at the same time, and is the overall governance body of the organization, setting the direction and strategy for ITP.
Nominations for Branch Committees open today. We'll send out more information to members shortly, but in the meantime you can read a bit more here.
Our Branch Committees are just as important post-Covid as they've ever been. Come and give ITP a local voice while helping ensure lots of opportunities for the tech profession to get together in your city.
ITP Update and Strategy Events - come along!
ITP CEO Paul Matthews and new President Anthony Dowling are heading to your place in May.
They're heading out and about around New Zealand to talk about ITP's Strategy and Strategic Plan over the next few years, Skills in the Industry Transformation Plan, ITP's new CareerAdvance service and how it will help members get ahead and much more!
Check out the presentation in your area:
- 19 May Auckland 5:15pm-7pm
- 20 May Hamilton 12pm-1:30pm
- 20 May Tauranga 5pm-6:30pm
- 25 May Palmerston North 5-6:30pm
- 26 May Wellington 12pm-1:30pm
- 26 May Nelson 5-6:30pm
- 27 May Christchurch 4:30pm-6pm
- 28 May Dunedin 12-1:30pm
Come and engage! There'll also be plenty of time for Q&A.
More information and Registration
2021 ITx Innovation Days
This year, the big ITx conference is going on the road. In fact, we'll be running 8 different mini-conferences right across New Zealand, each showcasing the latest tech trends, local talent, case studies and so much more.
These mini-conferences will be AWESOME! We have some amazing speakers to announce shortly, right across New Zealand.
The ITx Innovation Days will be happening on these dates:
- 13 July Palmerston North 1-5:30pm
- 14 July Nelson 1-5:30pm
- 16 July Wellington 9am-5:30pm
- 20 July Tauranga 1-5:30pm
- 21 July Hamilton 1-5:30pm
- 23 July Auckland 9am-5:30pm
- 27 July Dunedin 1-5:30pm
- 29 July Christchurch 9am-5:30pm
Drinks and refreshments will follow each Innovation Day.
Sponsorship options are also now available.
Get your ITP gear
Now is the perfect time to head over to the ITP store and grab yourself some sleek and practical items for work and play. These customizable items come in a variety of designs and are perfect for work, networking or casualwear.
The official ITP store has a whole bunch of professional and casual clothing options, some which can be co-branded with your company. It's a great opportunity to show that you don't just "do IT" - you're also serious about professional practice.
Pop on over to shop.itp.nz to check it out.
Previous webinars - all available free to members
All past webinars are available on the ITP Video Library for members:
- 2020's Top 10 Hacking Techniques
- Down-to-Earth Leadership Skills for Technical Geniuses
- How technology enabled the health response
- How Covid is impacting the Gaming Industry
- Creating a plan for Digital Skills
- Cybersecurity and the recent attacks
- Tech legal update - what you need to know
- An afternoon with Nanogirl
- Taking kiwi tech to the post-Covid world
- Tech startups in a post-Covid world
- The IRD Transformation
- Digital Government and Covid-19
- Tech and the Covid-19 recovery
- Privacy in the days of Covid-19
- Leading Wellness in uncertain times
- Meet the ITP Workshop Presenters
- The data behind Covid19
- Innovation in tough times: Don't Hunker in the Bunker
- Covid19: Tech and the Law
- Cybersecurity from home
- Clarke Ching on disaster innovation
- CITPNZ and CTech: The What, How and Why
- Working Remotely - How to get through
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