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Computing and IT careers forum

This one day Computing and IT Careers forum aims to link stakeholders to ensure the continued availability of a highly skilled workforce to sustain a vibrant and healthy Information Technology industry in New Zealand.

Intended Audience

This forum has been designed to link the many parties concerned with providing skilled professionals to work in the IT industry:

  • IT employers, supervisors and managers.
  • IT recruitment agencies.
  • Tertiary sector computing educators as developers of graduate capabilities:
    • Preparing graduates for employment in the industry, by maintaining curriculum currency, developing the desired capabilities, forging linkages between study and work, keeping abreast of trends in employment and changes in the profiles of graduates required.
  • Secondary school managers and educators as providers of students:
    • Who are properly prepared for tertiary level study in computing and IT.
    • With an enthusiasm for and understanding of the options available in computing study and careers.
  • Government agencies with a brief related to the IT industry, education, labour force or industry development.
  • The academic research community as identifiers and evaluators of innovations and trends:
    • With an interest in computer personnel research.
    • With an interest in computing education research.
  • The computer and general press.

The forum will provide a primary track offering a range of forum and panel presentations and activities specifically related to IT careers and career preparation. This programme has been designed to cater for the several audiences participating in the forum.

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Programme

The forum will be run with a series of interactive panels, presentation sessions and workshops led by industry experts or representatives of key linking groups. The overall aim is to encourage debate and share ideas among participants from the participating sectors, while offering a stimulating and educative programme for all involved.

Topics covered in the forum will include:

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Career Planning in IT Pilot Project

The Career Planning pilot run by the government agency Career Services Raupara and the Manukau Institute of Technology is designed to assist students to plan their study and career goals.

Career Services consultants will report on the experience of MIT students using an electronic template for career planning and how this has the potential to be an excellent focus for developing specialist IT career skills. Students will also relate the professional career advice they received.

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New Zealand Computer Society Report on NCEA IT Achievement Standards Panel Discussion

This recent report questioning the adequacy of the IT knowledge base taught in secondary schools will be discussed in the light of current Ministry of Education initiatives to better align the secondary IT curriculum.

Senior members of the NZCS as well as representatives from the Ministry of Education, along with the secondary and tertiary educators will take part. There will also be an opportunity for audience participation.

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Tertiary/Secondary Curriculum Alignment Initiatives

A selection of IT departments from the Institutes of Technology/Polytechnics will outline their current projects and relationships with secondary schools in their region. 

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Regional Projects in fostering IT Education/Career Issues in IT

The Accelerating Auckland Taskforce is a TEC funded group that supports regional growth by ensuring that Auckland has sufficient workers with ICT skills. 

It does this by:

  • Aligning industry skill needs with tertiary programmes.
  • Promoting ICT programmes and careers to students.
  • Fostering collaboration between industry and tertiaries.
  • Working to increase Maori and Pacific participation and completion in tertiary study.

This session will outline and review this organisation’s progress in delivering outcomes in these areas both in Auckland and elsewhere in New Zealand.

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Industry Trends/Skill Sets for IT Graduates

A panel of senior industry professionals and IT recruiters will discuss current industry trends particularly as they relate to desired skill sets and career opportunities.

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Forum: Successful Planning for IT Careers

This forum examines the implications for IT Career planning at both the secondary and tertiary level in light of:

  • Current education policy and government initiatives.
  • The state of secondary/tertiary curriculum alignment.
  • Industry trends and technological requirements.
  • Future certification of IT professionals

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Convenors and presenters

The forum will be convened by the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ) in partnership with Women in Technology, Accelerating Auckland, NZ Computer Society and several IT Vendors and Service Providers.

Sessions will be presented by a combination of leading IT professionals, representatives of key linking groups, researchers and educators. The programme is presently being finalized and details of presenters will be advised closer to the date.

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Registration

Registration for the forum will be via the conference registration page, or via Vivienne Wetere, the NACCQ Executive Secretary (viviennew@naccq.ac.nz).

Registrations will be accepted from 19 May 2008 until the day of the forum. Options to register on the day will be available at the conference venue. Registrations from sponsored secondary sector participants will be accepted until sponsorship funds are exhausted.

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Venue and Dates

The forum will be held at the Mercure Hotel, Customs St, Auckland, on Friday 4th July from 9:00 - 6:00 pm.  

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Costs

The cost for industry and other external participants will be $180 including GST for the day. This cost will include lunch and morning and afternoon teas.

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