Power Up Aotearoa: NZ's Tech Future Needs Your Investment (Govt!)
To thrive in the digital age, we need a robust domestic tech ecosystem and we need digital technology to create a future-proofed economy that provides a foundation for sustainable growth and innovation, ensuring New Zealand remains competitive on the global stage.
We also can’t ignore the headlines which focus on today's layoffs, or companies moving roles offshore, it’s amazing how quickly we have moved from the skills shortage of Covid / immediately post Covid times. Fluctuations like this, our talented people taking up opportunities across the ditch in Australia isn’t a sustainable model. The answer lies in a long-term strategy focused on diversifying our economy, other nations have taken steps to do this so we are increasingly at risk of being left behind.
With a constrained budget our government should look to leverage the successes of other nations, prioritising upskilling, fostering innovation, and bridging the digital divide. By looking to what is working overseas we can learn from their experiences, reduce the cost of building our own programmes from scratch and importantly help leap-frog our efforts because we are behind them now.
Upskilling Our Workforce: Borrowing Best Practices from across the globe
The global tech talent shortage demands a skilled workforce. There is loads we can learn from the investments governments are making around the world:
The UK first - is taking the need to upskill their entire population digital technology wise really seriously, here are three examples we could lift and shift.
Skills Bootcamps: This free, flexible training program provides citizens with the opportunity to gain in-demand digital skills like coding, cybersecurity, and data analysis in short, intensive courses. Designed for adults of all backgrounds, Skills Bootcamps aim to equip individuals for fast-track career progression in the digital sector. https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/training-choice/skills-bootcamp
Digital Skills Apprenticeships: These combine on-the-job training with classroom learning, allowing individuals to gain digital skills alongside industry-specific knowledge. Supported by the government, these apprenticeships provide a structured pathway for individuals to build a career in the digital economy. https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/browse-by-interests/digital
Essential Digital Skills Qualifications: The UK government has established a framework for "Essential Digital Skills" outlining the basic digital capabilities needed for everyday life and work. This framework guides the development of fully-funded qualifications offered through various providers. These qualifications ensure a baseline level of digital literacy across the population. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/essential-digital-skills-framework/essential-digital-skills-framework
The UK are not the only ones we can learn from.
Singapore's SkillsFuture programme: This government-funded initiative offers targeted training programs in in-demand digital skills like AI and cloud computing, partnering with tech companies to ensure curriculum relevance. New Zealand could adapt this model, collaborating with industry leaders to identify critical skill gaps and develop training programs accordingly. This ensures our workforce is equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
Programme description in brief - “SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme (SFLP) to better support mid-career Singaporeans, aged 40 and above, in the pursuit of a substantive skills reboot”.
France's Certificat de Qualification Professionnelle (CQP) programme: This government funded programme provides bite-sized, industry-recognized certifications for specific skills - micro-credentials. This allows for more flexible upskilling and career advancement, but is also available to the unemployed, students and the self employed. Implementing a similar system in New Zealand would empower individuals to continuously learn and adapt, fostering a future-proof workforce that can keep pace with rapid technological change.
Programme description in brief - Certificates of professional qualifications may be acquired as part of an apprenticeship, in different continuing training programmes and through validation of prior learning. They are accessible through a variety of programmes designed for different learner group.
I have also read that China has a Scholarship Program for Upskilling and Development in digital tech offering scholarships to encourage students to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. New Zealand could implement something similar by investing in our youth, we plant the seeds for a future where homegrown talent leads the way in innovation.
We also need a STEM education rethink
Continuing that theme, we also need a STEM education rethink. Finland's focus on project-based learning in STEM subjects offers valuable lessons. New Zealand can revamp its national curriculum to prioritize STEM education from an early age without losing emphasis on reading and writing which are the focus of this government right now.
This isn't just about creating future tech professionals; it's about fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, collaboration, and a love for lifelong learning – essential qualities for success in any field in the digital age. Imagine if we were to implement a comprehensive strategy that combines upskilling initiatives, fostering innovation, closing the digital divide, and nurturing a STEM-savvy population?
A call to this government
I have written before how we need a collaborative, concerted effort where industry and government work together to solve these future challenges. Sadly the last government were only just dipping their toes in the water through the initiatives they backed through the Digital Technologies industry transformation plan. This government has scrapped all of that so now we have a void - no investment in this space.
My call to action to this government - you need to take this seriously. We need to build a future where New Zealanders have the opportunity to contribute and flourish which frankly requires us to embrace and utilise digital technolgies. Making the right noises is great, a concerted strategy and real investment is what we need.
