Secondary pupils told technology jobs key to the future

25 March 2013

Secondary pupils told technology jobs key to the future

More than 120 students from secondary schools in the Eastern corridor and their parents attended Manukau Institute of Technology’s IndustryConnect Event at Macleans Collage this week to hear from a range of NZ business and information technology leaders.

Speakers included Telecom NZ, CEO: Simon Moutter; Orion Health Vice President Product Developments, Gareth Cronin; Microsoft NZ’s HR Director, Pia Dalum; Fuji Xerox Corporate Affairs Manager, Steven Caunce and MIT’s Dean of Faculty of Business and Information Technology.John Wadsworth

They shared career trends and opportunities in their industries and what young people can do to create relevant and viable career pathways from school to tertiary to employment.

Their message was simple. We need more of your students to be planning careers in IT.

Telecom CEO Simon Moutter explained to them that this is a time of monumental change saying any job to do with technology is going to be hot.

“The jobs of 2020 haven’t been conceived yet and it is young ICT professionals who will make the change,” he said

He called on them all to step up saying “New Zealand needs you to aspire to great things.”

Orion Health, Vice President Product Developments: Gareth Cronin said “IT is a creative industry”

Explaining that a career in IT does not mean sitting in isolation behind a computer screen. There are many different roles available, all well paid, and the successful candidates need to be well-rounded individuals with excellent communication skills.

The event was the second in MIT’s IndustryConnect series, a network aimed at informing and linking schools with professionals in business and information technology.

MIT Faculty of Business and Information Technology senior lecturer Edwina Mistry says the aim is to identify and discuss industry needs, and help young people transition from school to tertiary study and industry.

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