Quick ITP update and upcoming events
We hope you're keeping well and dealing with this week's emerging news as well as possible. But don't despair - we have lots going on to beat the lockdown blues!
The ITP fortnightly webinars will be kicking off again soon, and we're also beginning the countdown to July with ITx going on the road this year. There'll be big ITx Innovation Day events near you.
We're also updating ITP's book of computing history in NZ and we're calling for chapter concepts now - see below. And as always, we're fighting the good fight for the profession in education - this time in relation to the big Review of Vocational Education.
ITP Fortnightly webinars kicking off again
We've been working through what the ITP webinar series should look like this year - both in terms of structure and topics.
The good news is, these will be starting up again shortly, with the first being scheduled for Thursday 4th March then fortnightly thereafter.
If you haven't seen one of these yet, do come along! We start with a summary of news for the week from our awesome Tech Media Panel, including some views and perspectives on the leading stories, then dive into that week's topic. We have a guest speaker, followed by plenty of time for live Q&A.
Look out for the guest and topic announcement in the next couple of days.
Why the current education reforms are bad for Tech
You might have caught up on this on Friday, however Government recently closed consultation on the proposed Workforce Development Councils (WDCs). The WDCs are the supposed "industry-led" standard-setting component of the broader Review of Vocational Education.
We worked with the other key tech bodies to put a joint proposal in on behalf of the tech industry and profession. Sadly, we were not able to support the coverage, structure or plans for the WDC that impacts our area.
While our natural position is working closely with Government in a positive and constructive way, the proposed approach simply won't work for tech.
You can download the industry submission here or read a summary on TechBlog.
Heads-up: ITx 2021 is going on the road
As you may know, sadly and as a result of the pandemic, ITx 2020 was moved back 6 months to May 2021. The plan at that stage was to continue to hold ITx as a full 3-day conference in TSB Arena in Wellington.
ITx is special this year, as it's also a celebration of 60 years of tech innovation in New Zealand (including the 60th anniversary of ITP itself).
We've been talking closely with our members and while our membership clearly wants to see ITx continue through the pandemic (subject to levels etc), there is some concern about larger gatherings and travel. We've listened, and we've decided to make some changes.
While we'll still be holding ITx 2021 in Wellington, we've made the decision to change the format considerably and take it on the road! In fact you'll be seeing ITx 2021 Innovation Day events all across NZ in mid-2021, with full-day events in the larger centres and smaller half-day or similar events across all of the rest of our main cities.
In fact, if you're in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin, Palmerston North or Nelson, and possibly one or two other centres, you'll be able to attend an ITx 2021 Innovation Day event in your city!
It's going to be an exciting year. These events are being scheduled for July and we're just finalising dates and plans - we should be in a position to release these soon! Hope to see you there.
Call for Book Chapters - 60 years of tech innovation
Expressions of Interest invited by 1st March
2020 was the 60th anniversary of tech innovation in New Zealand, marking 60 years of IT Professionals New Zealand Te Pou Hangarau Ngaio.
Edited books were produced in 1985 and 2010 to mark the 25th and 50th anniversaries respectively. ITP is excited to be adding to this collection by producing a third book for its 60th anniversary, incorporating the earlier volumes.
We're now inviting ITP members and others to put forward proposals for chapters. The book will be published to coincide with the 2021 ITx conference events around New Zealand.
The aim of the book is to highlight key developments in computing in New Zealand from 2010 onwards. The different chapters will provide "snapshots" which give a flavour of the developments in computing over the last 10 years.
The book will be illustrated and likely made available in print and online.
Some possible subjects for chapters are listed below; please note that you are most welcome to suggest alternate topics.
Possible Chapter Topics
- AI & Machine Learning
- Cloud Computing
- Cyber Security/Privacy
- Developments in Agile Software Development
- Equity and Diversity in the tech sector
- IT in the Creative Industries
- IT in Education (schools and tertiary)
- IT in the Health Sector
- IT Infrastructure developments
- Public Sector IT
- Sustainability and Resilience in the tech sector
- Wellbeing in the tech sector
At this stage prospective authors are invited to propose a one page concept/abstract which includes the proposed chapter title, a 250-word summary of chapter contents, and contact details. All proposals will be reviewed by a panel from the ITP.
Timetable
- 1st March 250-word concept/abstract received for consideration
- Early March Feedback returned to authors
- 16th April Full chapters (3000-4000 words) due
- 3rd May Feedback returned to authors
- 17th May Final versions of chapters due
Abstracts should be emailed to the Editor by 1st March
The editor is Janet Toland, Associate Professor in Information Systems, Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka.
If you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to get in touch. Please note that all writing and editing is being carried out on a voluntary basis.
Dunedin and Nelson events next week
We have events planned next week for both Dunedin and Nelson and, subject to Covid level changes, these are both still going ahead with precautions in place for Level 2.
Next Tuesday our Nelson branch is running a session looking at taking that business idea you had over summer to reality. Make this year the year you step up and make it happen, or just head along and catch up with the community. More info
Also on Tuesday we see the return of Dunedin's informal dinner and drinks event, up at Sichuan 88 in Mornington. As well as some of the best Cantonese-style chinese in Dunedin, catch up with others from the tech community over a drink. More info
Get an ITP Industry Mentor
As you may know, ITP re-launched our Mentoring Programme last year as a more stream-lined and free service to members. We have lots of mentors ready to go and if you're keen to be advance your career, we can match you promptly and kick off your mentoring partnership.
What is the ITP Mentoring Programme?
The programme continues to be built around professional development or career-focused mentoring - helping IT professionals set clear career goals and objectives, understand that they have the ability to achieve these, and putting in place a plan to do it.
If you haven't been involved in mentoring before don't be shy - this programme is purpose built for you. The programme has been designed to scale and we see it as a core part of professional growth.
The programme is also completely free for non-student ITP members, as part of our overall goal to help further those in our community. We'll be providing other career guidance for students but mentoring is for those currently practicing.
Once matched, mentees and mentors can expect to meet once a month (for approximately an hour) over the 12-month period. This can be in-person of via a videocall. We provide guidance, resources, career planning templates and more, and you also have access to a mentoring facilitator to help work through any issues you might have along the way.
Now's the right time
Last year was a tough year for everyone, but now is the absolute right time to focus on career development and the future. It's also a great time of year to get moving on these types of initiatives.
It's easy to get started - just join the mentoring programme online. We ask you a few questions to help match you to the perfect mentor and the whole process only takes around 10-15 minutes.
RNZ New Tech: Skills, Free Speech and Aussies vs Google
I spoke recently on RNZ's New Technology slot about the new Skills report, free speech in the online age, and the battle between the Australian Government and Google about paying for links and media.
Exclusive ITP member offers
We're really excited to have a bunch of new deals and offers available for ITP members, thanks to some of our awesome Corporate Partners. Check them out on the ITP Member Offers page.
This includes huge offers on tech-related courses from Yoobee, NZSE and ITP, plus excellent offers from GoWirelessNZ, EscrowNZ, The IT Psychiatrist, insurance offerings, events and conferences and more.
Check out all of the ITP Member Offers
Previous webinars - all available free to members
All past webinars are available on the ITP Video Library for members:
- UFB and the Future of Fibre
- Down-to-Earth Leadership Skills for Tech 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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