Research conducted by the government’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) Task Force and Lincoln University clearly shows that skill shortages are a serious barrier for growth. Over the next five years the high tech sector in Canterbury is expected to require 473 more engineering degrees, 426 more degrees in science, technology, computing or software and 321 more degrees in commerce or business.
The solution:
In 2004, Convergence won a pitch to develop a comprehensive promotional strategy for Canterbury’s ICT sector, focused on addressing the ongoing and worsening skill shortages facing Canterbury’s large electronics and software sector. The project was part of a wider Growth Pilot Project funded by the Tertiary Education Commission.
The strategy, which took six months to produce, recommended options to attract sufficient numbers of suitably qualified people to meet the requirements of Canterbury’s ICT businesses in the short, medium and long term. It drew praise from the TEC as being one of the best promotional strategies developed by any Growth Pilot.
In 2006 Convergence was contracted to develop sections of the strategy under a revised brief to promote ICT careers to students and parents. This included planning a range of integrated activities, from billboards and posters to media releases and newspaper supplements, as well as projects involving high school teachers, tertiary providers and students. Since February 2007, the strategy’s implementation has been managed by the ETITO.