ITP Techblog

The digital technology industry is navigating it’s way through an unprecedented skills crisis. In 2021 working with MBIE and NZTech we released the Digital Technologies Skills and Talent Plan. One of the deliverables tackled in 2022 has been this plan for Upskilling and Reskilling in the Digital Technology Sector. This post services as a TLDR (too long didn’t read) on the plan. 

The upshot TLDR: Solving the skills and talent crisis will take more than pulling immigration levers, it will require reskilling and upskilling junior and mid-career staff and bringing people into digital technology from other industries. There are a number of barriers, gaps and limitations in the system to enable developing capability for the areas of greatest demand. This report summarises a deep dive into the upskilling and reskilling space, includes recommendations - a short of prioritised actions and a long list of further actions to tackle. Read the plan to understand the current landscape, findings and insights. Honestly it’s only 20 pages long so not hard to digest. 

What do we mean by Upskilling and Reskilling: Upskilling people already working in the digital technology sector to be able to accelerate their careers and take on more senior roles. Reskilling people in the digital technology sector to move sideways into areas of specialisation. Reskilling people to move from other sectors into digital technology leveraging transferable skills. 

What were the recommendations? - short list:

Recommendations - long list:

What are the gaps and limitations? generally there is a shortage of training avaliable focused on - earning while you learn; designed for, by and with Māori and Pacific peoples; faster to consume "right sized" programmes; work experience opportunities; and accelerated training opportunities.

Who was involved in developing this plan? this project was led by the fabulous Kim Connolley-Stone, former Policy Director for Digital Economy at MBIE and Policy Director at InternetNZ. 

Kim led a series of workshops, interviews, surveys and feedback sessions with industry employers, educators, academics, government agencies, digital technology workers and community groups. Leveraging the DECA network Kim ensured groups of people we don’t normally see in the digital technology industry were involved in the consultation process - people with disabilities, Māori, Pacific Peoples, immigrants, refugees and others. 

Supporting Kim was a fabulous steering group, their names are listed below in the Thank you segment. 

What’s next? MBIE, the Ministry of Education and IT Professionals are working together to scope up next steps on the short list of recommendations. 

How can you help? This is our collective challenge to resolve. If any of the recommendations look like something you are already working on, or can add value, or are really passionate about then please get in touch. 

Does the Minister buy into this? we wrote to Minister Clark, he replied, we also met with him and he invited Minister Tinetti along, you can read about that meeting here. Upshot is, he strongly supports this plan - however he didn't magic up funding for all of the activities on the spot. 

Thank you: to everyone who was involved in the consultation on this plan, gave your time and experiences, your mahi has been invaluable. 

A massive thank you: to the steering group who donated significant time as input - Paul Matthews, Astrid Visser, Chandra Harrison, David Glover, Emily Baker, Kate Pearce, Kris Dempster-Rivett, Malcolm Fraser, Nic Quill, Rata Kamau, Robyn Henderson, Rohan Wakefield, Rose Jamieson, Ruth Green-Cole, Sunit Prakash, Tim Croft, 

Tēnā rawa atu koe to each of you. 

Questions: Feel free to email me via [email protected] - Vic