Too Many Choices? The Overwhelming World of Digital Tech Education in NZ

As a young person in New Zealand today, it must feel overwhelming to choose where to study if you're passionate about digital technologies. The digital landscape is vast and continuously evolving, and with so many different disciplines available in computing education, it can be confusing. Students must navigate through multiple disciplines like computer science, cybersecurity, and software engineering, each promising a different career path. But is the abundance of options really helping them, or is it making things more difficult?

A Complex Landscape of Digital Disciplines

According to the Computing Curricula 2020 report, digital technology education is divided into several key disciplines:

• Computer Engineering: Focuses on the design and development of computer hardware and software systems. Ideal for students interested in building computer systems from the ground up.

• Computer Science: Deals with theory, algorithms, and programming. This is where you'd delve into understanding how software works, with an emphasis on problem-solving and innovation.

• Cybersecurity: Focuses on protecting systems from attacks, making sure data remains secure, and understanding how to mitigate risks in an increasingly connected world.

• Information Systems: Involves the management and use of information technologies in organizations, bridging the gap between technical and business perspectives.

• Information Technology: Emphasizes practical application of technology, including setting up networks and managing databases, ensuring systems function effectively.

• Software Engineering: Concentrates on building complex software systems, ensuring they are robust, scalable, and maintainable.

Each of these areas offers specialised knowledge, and students are expected to choose the one that aligns with their career goals. But in a country as small as New Zealand, with only a few higher education institutions, having all these different disciplines might actually dilute the student body across programs. Instead of a larger pool of students honing their skills in fewer, well-resourced programs, we're seeing fewer students spread thin across many options.

The Rise of Other Digital Education Areas

It's not just traditional computing disciplines that are on offer. The explosion of digital media has led to a rise in programs that blend technology with creativity. Fields such as Creative Technologies, Digital Design, Film Production, Animation, Game Development, and Interactive Media have gained prominence as more young people seek careers in digital content creation.

• Creative Technologies: This area integrates creative thinking with technical skills, offering students opportunities to work on digital art, interactive installations, and media productions. It’s ideal for those who want to explore the intersection of creativity and tech, and it covers a broad range of subjects from virtual reality to interactive storytelling.

• Film and Digital Media: Programs focused on digital film and media production provide hands-on experience with digital cameras, editing software, and visual effects tools. As the entertainment industry increasingly relies on digital production, the skills learned here are highly transferable to global markets.

• Game Design and Development: Combining creativity with technical know-how, this discipline involves learning how to design immersive gaming experiences. With the gaming industry growing rapidly worldwide, students trained in this field often find opportunities in various creative and technical roles.

• Digital Design: This field brings together graphic design, UI/UX design, and interaction design, helping students to craft visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces for websites, apps, and digital platforms.

The inclusion of such diverse programs expands the landscape of digital education, but it also adds to the complexity of choosing where to study. While these options allow students to pursue their passion in more creative areas, they contribute to a growing sense of fragmentation within New Zealand’s higher education system. For instance, a student interested in both coding and film production might struggle to find a program that covers both adequately without having to specialize too early.

Making It Easier for Learners

So, what can be done? Simplifying and consolidating digital technology offerings might be one way forward. Rather than offering an array of specialized degrees, New Zealand's higher education institutions could provide more comprehensive programs that allow students to explore different areas of digital technologies before specialising later in their studies. This would give students a better chance to make informed decisions about where their passions and strengths lie without having to commit too early.

Additionally, better guidance and clearer pathways for students entering the digital technology field would help. By offering more accessible information about the differences between disciplines and the types of careers they lead to, we can empower students to make choices that feel less like guesswork.

TEC - the government agency responsible for higher education - have been working on a new careers platform (costing tens of millions of dollars) for some years now and according to their latest update it’s in pilot for some schools. On their current site careers.govt.nz if you type digital courses into the search bar you get 1568 results.
So far I have failed to get them to engage on digital technology careers so can only hope they model study pathways for our industry.

It is fair to say that as the industry peak body IT Professionals has a responsibility to help facilitate improving the options, information and guidance to help people choose our industry - I would love ideas on how we might fund this mahi.

Learning from Overseas: How Other Countries Tackle the Same Issue

New Zealand isn’t alone in grappling with the challenges of offering a wide range of digital technology programs. Other countries have faced similar dilemmas and have implemented innovative solutions to simplify educational choices, ensure relevance to industry, and give students the flexibility to explore different fields before specializing. Here’s what we can learn from overseas:

1. Australia: Flexibility with Micro-Credentials

Australia has adopted stackable credentials and micro-credentials, allowing students to complete short, focused courses that contribute towards a larger qualification. This enables students to try out different areas within digital technology—like cybersecurity or data analytics—before committing to a full degree. It also ensures they gain valuable, industry-recognized skills early on, making their education more adaptable to changes in the job market.

2. Germany: Dual Education System

Germany's dual education system, which combines academic studies with hands-on vocational training, offers a powerful model. In the tech sector, students split their time between universities and companies, gaining practical, real-world experience while they study. This system helps students make more informed decisions about their career paths while building strong connections with potential employers.

3. United States: Broad-Based Tech Programs

Many U.S. universities offer broad-based programs in fields like Information Technology or Computer Science. Students start with foundational courses in a range of topics—such as programming, cybersecurity, and systems design—before deciding on a specialization. This allows them to explore their interests without locking into a narrow focus too early, making it easier to shift direction if needed.

4. Singapore: Industry-Aligned Curricula and Career Guidance

In Singapore, universities work closely with tech companies to ensure their courses align with industry needs. Programs are regularly updated, and students benefit from enhanced career guidance and plentiful internship opportunities. Singapore’s SkillsFuture initiative also supports lifelong learning by offering government-funded courses to help people upskill or reskill, ensuring that education remains relevant throughout their careers.

5. United Kingdom: T-Shaped Skills

Some UK institutions focus on developing "T-shaped" graduates—those with deep expertise in one area, combined with broad, transferable skills across related fields. This approach gives students the depth they need to become experts, while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to changes in the digital tech landscape.

What Can New Zealand Take from These Approaches?

New Zealand can draw valuable lessons from these international examples. Incorporating more flexible learning options, like micro-credentials or broader tech programs, would give students a chance to explore different fields before narrowing their focus. Strengthening partnerships between higher education providers and the tech industry would ensure that students are learning the skills that employers actually need, while offering more real-world experience.

By taking cues from overseas, New Zealand can streamline digital technology education, making it easier for students to navigate their options and pursue fulfilling, future-proof careers.