ITI Moves Projects Off The Backburner

8 April 2002

Information Technology Institute

Employers are using a new innovative IT training programme to progress IT and software development projects within their companies that would frequently otherwise sit on the backburner, says Information Technology Institute (ITI) National Principal Billy Rodgers.

Based in Christchurch, Mr Rodgers says ITI fast-tracks students with non-IT degrees into an IT career, by providing them with three months intensive practical training followed by six months working on a project with a local employer.

“ITI is unique in New Zealand in that it’s the only IT training provider that gives students work projects with a local business. These businesses sign on as ITI employer partners and are involved in the student selection process.”

He says employers are leaping at the chance to be involved.

“Employers have only got limited resources and staff have to focus on revenue earning. They see ITI students as an excellent opportunity to progress software and IT projects and new innovations that might otherwise sit on the backburner. Many of these companies also see ITI as a rich recruiting ground for new staff.”

Many of ITI’s students have had established careers in other fields and Mr Rodgers says this gives them a commercial edge that employers value.

He says companies who have signed on as ITI employer partners are of a very high calibre, including CWA New Media in Wellington, Jade and GlobalTech Solutions in Christchurch, Comacc, Gnosis Solutions, geni-i and Cyberelves in Auckland and IWEB4U in Northland.

“I’m currently in negotiations with over 30 employers, including government departments, banks, small and large businesses and would expect to have about 20 employer partners on board in the next couple of weeks.”

ITI has three campuses in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and recently announced it is opening a fourth campus in Taupo in partnership with the Lake Taupo Development Company. ITI has three intake of students a year onto its Graduate Diploma in IT programme. The first programme started in March, with ITI now assessing applications for its June intake.

Mr Rodgers says the students currently enrolled come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including careers in biotechnology, law and the armed forces.

He says the students, who range in age from early 20s to 50s, are all extremely motivated with strong communication skills as well as an aptitude for IT. He says it’s this mix of qualities that make them particularly attractive to future employers.

“ITI is an excellent example of business and education working together.”

Find out more about ITI on www.iti.co.nz

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